transversus abdominis & pressure biofeedback

[lou]

Hi,
I am about to start research on pressure biofeedback units as a feedback tool whilst teaching trans abdominal activation/ core stability exercises. I would appreciate it if people can let me know how commonly they use these exercises in treating back pain and if you use a pressure biofeedback unit for patient feedback. Thanks for any info,
Lou

[oscar]

hey, I was actually thinking of doing the exact same thing for my dissertation...but in the end decided to to a proprioception one instead

On my placements I've seen the physio's use pressure biofeedback cuffs (in the lumbar region when the patient is supine), to be honest I don't know a great deal about them, but the physio's I've met said they are really good at getting the patient to see the effects of thier TA contractions etc....

Best of luck!

[meckelsbacher]

hi,

in our practice we use the stabilizer. under this link you will find some information about it.
http://www.chattgroup.com/product.as...n=1&cn=5&loc=1

i have made very good experience with it. it is very simple to use for patients, buit also very effective. you can use it for relearning a patient core stability, but do also advances exercises with extremity involvement.

i use it as a basic exercise for lower-back patients, since in 90% of all patients instability plays a big role.
besides this it has also a mobilising effect for the lws ( pelvis movement ),
which contributes very often to pain relieve.

hope that helps a bit!

cheers

[physioette]

I used to use this device but have not done so for several years. I found that patients(including myself) recriuted too many inappropriate muscles and the focus was taken away from core muscles themselves.
Having said that, I will get patients to monitor their ASISs for exercises in supine, focusing on minimizing movement of the pelvis and learning the feel of "core activation". Then quickly move onto more functional positions for core exercises, where the pressure device is unworkable.

[gogo girl]

I too found the pressure biofeedback frustrating. it was good for the patients to see a needle going up but if you moved away from the needle and analysed what they were actually doing, it was not generally TrA contraction. too easy to manipulate the needle so I found if you monitor them well to ensure correct recruitment, you may as well spend the time with them in the first place. Besides all that it is not a very functional position and functional recruitment is what we are ultimately after.

[adeledavies24]

I have used pressure biofeedback only occassionaly in my practice. I am fortunate to have access to a Real Time Ultrasound Unit at my practice and find that this gives a much more accurate idea of isolating the TA. It can also be used in functional positions - eg lifting, bending, marching on the spot. Many patients have been referred for real time ultrasound imaging to check they are using their core stabilisers correctly after some exposure to the pressure biofeedback and it is not uncommon for them to have inappropriate activation of the muscles (eg cocontraction or phasic contractions). So I would thouroughly reccommend ultrasound training if possible.