Feasibility of a novel back support device to improve spine stability and muscular activity during trunk flexion: A prospective cross-sectional study with healthy controls and low back pain subjects - preliminary

• Published in: Clinical biomechanics (Bristol) Vol. 122; no. NA; p. 106414
• Main Authors: Bernier, Emeric, Mithani, Adi, Aoude, Ahmed, Driscoll, Mark
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.02.2025
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Assistive devices; Cross-Sectional Studies; Exoskeleton Device; Female; Humans; Intra-abdominal pressure; Low back pain; Low Back Pain - physiopathology; Lumbar Vertebrae - physiopathology; Lumbosacral Region - physiopathology; Male; Middle Aged; Muscle activity; Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation; Prospective Studies; Range of Motion, Articular; Self-Help Devices; Spine - diagnostic imaging; Spine imaging; Spine stability; Young Adult; Spine imaging; Spine stability; Intra-abdominal pressure; Assistive devices; Low back pain; Muscle activity
• DOI: 10.1016/j.clinbiomech.2024.106414
• ISSN: 0268-0033; 1879-1271

Low back pain is a prevalent global condition often challenging to address due to the absence of a definitive diagnosis in over 80 % of cases. Manual lifting, common in many work environments, contributes to low back pain due to lumbar spine stresses, and existing assistive technologies like abdominal belts and exoskeletons have limitations in managing low back pain effectively. This paper presents a novel back support device designed to generate abdominal compression during flexion activities, potentially enhancing lumbar stability through increased intra-abdominal pressure. The study involved 14 participants with chronic non-specific low back pain and 18 gender-matched healthy controls doing controlled movement tests with and without the support device. Results suggest that the back support device increased intra-abdominal pressure in both groups during various functional tasks, more notably in active flexion and lifting tasks (up to +43 %). The device also contributed to decreasing lumbar range of motion during guided flexion (−18 to −37 %, except at the lumbosacral junction in the low back pain group), emphasizing its potential impact in limiting excessive spinal movement. Muscle activity assessments revealed decreased activation during active flexion and lifting movements while wearing the device, suggesting the possibility to assist trunk stabilization without the corresponding antagonistic muscle activation and associated compressive load on the spine. These effects could help workers to maintain their activities in the workplace and help workers suffering from low back pain to gradually reintegrate work or physical activities, contributing to better overall management of back health. •Device amplifies trunk intra-abdominal pressure during flexion, lifting.•Minimizes intervertebral motion, enhancing lumbar stability.•Alters trunk muscle activity, reduces abdominal activation in flexion, lifting.•Aids back pain rehabilitation, supports gradual return with reduced muscle demands.