Correlation between gluteus medius strength and lower back pain in middle-aged adults: a critically appraised topic
Abstract
Background: Low back pain is one of the most common complaints of middle-aged individuals. Low back pain tends to be the result of a more sedentary lifestyle and even for those who are active, normal biomechanics can often neglect activation of the gluteus medius muscle. Therefore, it is important to determine appropriate means of preventing this lower back pain with the thought that there is a correlation between the gluteus medius and lower back pain. Methods: Cooper et al. looked at manual muscle tests of the GMed, TFL, and GMax in correlation to patient reported low back pain. Jeoung et al. looked at lumbar stabilizing muscles plus strengthening the muscles of the gluteus using biofeedback response on patient reported low back pain. Penny et al. looked at manual muscle tests and SLS to determine weakness and correlation between weakness and patient reported low back pain. Clinical Question: Are gluteus medius strengthening programs effective in decreasing low back pain in adults? Results: One study investigated symptoms including gluteus medius weakness and tenderness in people with chronic low back pain, one studied the difference between lumbar strengthening exercises and the gluteus group with the lumbar strengthening exercises in relation to chronic low back pain, and one studied to identify the relation between strength of the gluteus medius to low back pain. Conclusion: There is moderate evidence to support the efficacy of strengthening the gluteus medius to improve low back pain in individuals 30-50 years of age. Strength of Recommendation: Level B evidence exists according to Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE), that intervention to the gluteus medius and hip abductors can decrease low back pain in middle age individuals.
Citation
Heald, L., Dupree, J., & O’Brien, M. (2022, February 18). The correlation between gluteus medius strength and lower back pain in middle-aged adults: A critically appraised topic. Poster presented at Research Days at Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences, Tulsa, Ok.
Collections
- Research Week 2022 [58]