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Previous studies have demonstrated that respiratory dysfunction has a potential association with low back pain (LBP). Despite the role of the diaphragm for respiration and spinal stability, knowledge of the function of both sides of the diaphragm in subjects with LBP is still limited. This study aimed to compare the structural integrity and function of the right and left hemidiaphragm by ultrasonography (USG) in subjects with and without nonspecific chronic low back pain (NS-CLBP). A total of 37 subjects with NS-CLBP and 34 healthy subjects participated in this case-control study. The thickness, thickness change, and excursion of the right and left hemidiaphragm were compared within and between the groups during quiet breathing (QB) and deep breathing (DB) through B-mode and M-mode ultrasound imaging. The LBP group had a significantly smaller degree of right hemidiaphragm thickness change (P =.001) compared with the healthy control group, with a strong effect size. Nevertheless, there was no significant change for diaphragm thickness and excursion between the two groups. The result showed that, in the healthy group, the right hemidiaphragm had a significantly smaller thickness at expiration and larger thickness change compared with the left hemidiaphragm, with a moderate effect size. Based on the multivariate prediction analysis, the right hemidiaphragm thickness change might significantly predict LBP. We found that participants with LBP had a smaller degree of right hemidiaphragm thickness change. Also, the right hemidiaphragm thickness change might significantly predict LBP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Quantitative electroencephalography (EEG) power spectra analysis was applied to assess brain activation during chronic pain. Although many studies have shown that there are some common characteristics among individuals suffering from various pain syndromes, the data remains inconclusive. The present study aimed to assess chronic low back pain (CLBP) based on functional brain changes with EEG in CLBP patients compared with healthy controls., Methods: Multichannel electroencephalogram data were recorded from 30 subjects with CLBP and 30 healthy controls under eye-open resting state conditions and active lumbar forward flexion, and their cortical oscillations were compared using electrode-level analysis. Data were analyzed using a pair t-test., Results: A total of 30 patients (19 men and 11 women in the case group (mean [SD] age, 35.23 [5.93] years) with 30 age and sex-match healthy controls participated in the study. A paired t-test was applied to identify whether there was any difference in the absolute and relative power of frequency spectra between CLBP patients and healthy controls. The results showed a significant increase in alpha relative power in CLBP patients compared with healthy controls in an open-eye resting state ( P < 0.050) and active lumbar forward flexion ( P < 0.050)., Conclusion: The enhanced alpha relative power in CLBP patients could be relevant to attenuating sensory information gating and excessive integration of pain-related information. Increased power at the EEG seems to be one of the clinical characteristics of individuals with CLBP. EEG can be a simple and objective tool for studying the mechanisms involved in chronic pain and identifying specific characteristics of CLBP patients., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no competing interests., (© 2023 Iran University of Medical Sciences.)

Objectives: We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of treadmill training on walking speed and endurance and quality of life in ambulatory adults with spastic cerebral palsy (CP) versus traditional physiotherapy., Materials & Methods: Participants (17 men, 13 women; mean (SD) age 25 yr, 9 m (7 yr, 10m) range 18-45) with Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels below IV (I, II, and III) from the Ra'ad Rehabilitation Goodwill Complex, Tehran, Iran randomly were allocated to the experimental and the control groups each with 15 persons in 2014. The training (treadmill for experimental group and conventional physiotherapy for control group) was conducted two times a week for 8 weeks. Statistical analysis was made by Repeated Measures of ANOVA for changes within the group during the time and Independent t and Mann-Whitney U tests for the differences between the groups., Results: Although the experimental group showed a significant improve in the gait speed [1.08(0.47) m/s to 1.22(0.50) m/s] ( P =0.002) and in the gait endurance [291.13(160.28) m to 342.63 (174.62) m] ( P =0.002), however the changes of the outcome measures of walking and quality of life the between groups were not significant., Conclusion: The treadmill training without body weight support would improve walking speed and endurance in adults with spastic CP. It would not be however more effective than the traditional physiotherapy to increase the gait performances and function and the quality of life in adults with CP., Competing Interests: The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest.