Study of School and Graduate Institute of Physical Therapy College of Medicine in Taiwan

The objective of three-year research is to investigate the relationship between thoracolumbar fascia tissue characteristics, lumbopelvic asymmetry, core muscle contractility, proprioception and standing balance in different ages of asymptomatic participants and patients with CMLBP.

Method: 270 subjects are recruited in this study, with ages ranging from 20 to 74 years old. 120 of the subjects are patients with CMLBP and 150 are asymptomatic participants. Instrument in use including real time ultrasound imaging, Zebris 3D motionanalysis system and force plate system. The first year is to establish the reliability of measurement of lumbopelvic asymmetry, mechanical and physical properties of thoracolumbar fascia, and the norm of different age. The second year is to compare the differences among asymptomatic subjects and patients with and without lumbopelvic asymmetry, and investigate whether lumbopelvic symmetry, core muscle contractility, proprioception and standing balance change after manipulating thoracolumbar fascia tissue by physical therapy. The third year is to investigate the treatment effect on chronic myofascial back pain patient after 8 weeks exercise training with the aid of physical agent.