Cramer Sports Motion Tape and Low Back Pain EMG
Cramer Sports Motion Tape and Low Back Pain EMG
Low back pain is a problem which affects up to 70-80% of people in their lifetime. In the
 United States, it is estimated that the total direct and indirect costs of low back pain
 combined ranges from $19.6 to $118.8 billion. Recent studies have shown the importance of the
 gluteal musculature in the treatment of low back pain. It was found that the gluteus maximus
 (Gmax) is significantly more active in a low back pain population compared to a healthy
 population, indicating the low back pain population relied on the Gmax to fire more to
 overcome the gluteal weakness. A new approach to treating musculoskeletal conditions is a
 taping technique designed to target muscles and lymphatic system. Limited research is
 available for the treatment of specific conditions, including low back pain, but it is
 theorized to inhibit or facilitate the muscle, improve blood flow, reduce pain, and improve
 joint alignment. Methods: The purpose of this study is to determine the immediate and delayed
 effectiveness of Cramer® Sports Motion Tape on Gmax and lumbar paraspinal activation in a
 chronic mechanical low back pain population. A convenience sample of 20 new patients with
 current, chronic low back pain, no current neurologic signs or symptoms, no previous spinal
 surgery, no corticosteroid treatment within the last two weeks, and who are not pregnant will
 be recruited for this study. Patients will sign an informed consent, complete all initial
 paperwork. Surface electromyography will be used to quantify the activity level of the Gmax
 and lumbar paraspinals (LP). The MVIC will be estimated for each muscle group and the patient
 will perform a series of 4 randomized exercises, 5 repetitions each; Clams with Resistance,
 Standing Hip Abduction with Resistance, Sidelying Hip Abduction, and a forward bend. After
 each exercise the patient will rate "How hard they are working" on the RISE scale. Following
 the initial test, Cramer® Sports Motion Tape will be applied to the gluteal and low back
 area. After the tape is applied, the EMG exercise protocol will be repeated. The tape will be
 left on until the patient returns for their next appointment, within 24 to 48 hours, where
 they will have a delayed post-test. Patients will rate their pain, surface electrodes will be
 applied to the previous testing sites, and MVIC will be retested for each muscle group. The
 patient will perform the same protocol that was performed in the initial testing session. The
 EMG signals will be smoothed, rectified and analyzed using a root-mean-square algorithm. The
 investigators will use visual onset and offset of the EMG signal amplitude to select the
 middle 3 trials. Average activation and peak activation will be determined and compared to
 the MVIC for each muscle group, and expressed as a %MVIC. This will allow %MVIC to be
 compared and rank order among groups and muscles.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  must be recruited within the first 2 to 3 therapy visits

 -  have a diagnosis of chronic mechanical low back pain

 -  18-65

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  no current neurologic signs or symptoms

 -  no previous spinal surgery

 -  no corticosteroid treatment within the last two weeks

 -  may not be pregnant