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Capacitive and resistive electric transfer (CRET) therapy is used to reduce pain and improve functional disability, and the effect on low back pain remains to be investigated. This study aimed to examine the immediate effect on the onset time of the muscles after irradiating CRET therapy for non-specific chronic low back pain (NSCLBP). Thirty patients with NSCLBP were randomly divided into an intervention group (n = 15) and a sham group (n = 15). Participants and statisticians were blinded to participant allocation. The intervention group received one 15-minute session of CRET therapy on their lower back; the sham group similarly received one 15-minute session of sham therapy. Before and immediately after the intervention, the onset time of the trunk and lower limb muscles was measured during prone hip extension, and pain intensity was recorded using a visual analog scale. The intervention group showed a significant reduction in pain and a significantly earlier onset time of the thoracic part of the iliocostalis lumborum, lumbar part of the iliocostalis lumborum, lumbar multifidus, and gluteus maximus. These results showed that CRET therapy not only reduced pain, but also facilitated trunk muscle activity. Improvement in muscle activity patterns may improve activities of daily living. This study was registered at the University Hospital Medical Information Network in Japan (UMIN-CTR: 000046301).

[Purpose] This study aimed to compare the muscle activity around the foot and ankle joints, notably of the abductor digiti minimi, between affected and unaffected sides of individuals with chronic ankle instability. [Participants and Methods] Twelve adult males with chronic ankle instability in one ankle (age, 27.7 ± 5.4 years; height, 172.5 ± 8.1 cm; weight, 67.5 ± 8.1 kg) were included and underwent surface electromyography assessments in multiple positions on both affected and unaffected sides. Measurements were obtained for eight muscles including the abductor digiti minimi. Each measurement included a 5-s segment of the stable waveform, with the root mean square-processed and normalized to the resting position set to 1. [Results] Abductor digiti minimi activity on the affected side was significantly reduced during maximal toe extension/abduction with both ankle dorsiflexion and plantarflexion. Peroneus longus activity on the affected side was significantly greater during maximal toe extension/abduction with ankle plantarflexion; peroneus longus and tibialis anterior muscle activities were significantly greater on the affected side during maximal toe extension/abduction with ankle dorsiflexion. [Conclusion] In the absence of load, muscle imbalance in the intrinsic and extrinsic muscles of the foot was suggested. However, no significant differences were observed under loading conditions.

Background: Capacitive and resistive electric transfer (CRET) is becoming popular in sports settings. Although CRET is effective for improving pain and healing injured tissues, its influence on muscle function and morphology is still unclear. This study confirmed the immediate effects of CRET on the duration of muscular stiffness and the range of motion (ROM). Methods: This paper describes the protocol for a single arm trial with non-blinding of participants and researcher. Twenty-four healthy men participated in the study. They received CRET therapy for their lower back areas. The muscular stiffness of the multifidus muscle (superficial and deep) and the ROM using the active straight leg raise (ASLR) test were measured pre-intervention, post-intervention (immediately), and 15 minutes and 30 minutes post-intervention. We compared these parameters with one-way analysis of variance and Dunnett’s test (multiple comparison tests for subtests). Results: The muscular stiffness of the superficial and deep multifidus muscles became significantly lesser, and the ASLR test showed a significant increase compared to that obtained at pre-intervention. In addition, these effects persisted for 30 minutes. Conclusions: Warm-up is vital for improving muscular stiffness and for increasing the ROM. CRET is a useful device to achieve these aims as a passive warm-up method in sports settings.Trial registration number: UMIN000046304. Registered 7 December 2021 - Retrospectively registered, https://upload.umin.ac.jp/cgi-open-bin/ctr_e/ctr_view.cgi?recptno=R000052845

[Purpose] In this study, we investigated the therapeutic effects of capacitive and resistive electric transfer therapy in patients with chronic low back pain. [Participants and Methods] The study included 24 patients with chronic low back pain (12 patients each in the intervention and sham groups). Pain intensity, superficial and deep lumbar multifidus stiffness and maximum forward trunk flexion and associated activation level of the iliocostalis (thoracic and lumbar component) and lumbar multifidus muscles were measured. [Results] Post-intervention pain intensity and muscle stiffness were significantly lower than pre-intervention measurements in the intervention group. However, no between-group difference was observed in the muscle activation level at the end-point of standing trunk flexion. [Conclusion] Our findings highlight a significant therapeutic benefit of capacitive and resistive electric transfer therapy in patients with chronic low back pain and muscle stiffness.