Effect of real-time ultrasound imaging for biofeedback on trunk muscle contraction in healthy subjects: a preliminary study

Abstract Background Real-time ultrasound imaging (RUSI) has been increasingly used as a form of biofeedback when instructing and re-training muscle contraction. However, the effectiveness RUSI on single sustained contraction lumbar multifidus (LM) transversus abdominis (TrA) rarely reported. This preliminary study aimed to determine if use RUSI, visual biofeedback, could enhance ability activation continuous trunk muscles including LM TrA. Methods Forty healthy individuals were included randomly assigned into experimental group control group. All subjects performed preferential and/or TrA (maintained constraction for 30 s then relaxed 2 min), while those in also received feedback provided by RUSI. The thickness at rest during (T c-max , T 15s 30s ) extracted recorded. experiment was repeated three times. Results No significant differences found ( P > 0.999), (P = 0.414) between two groups. recruit differed groups 0.006), with that maintaining relative maximum Besides, no 0.999) 0.031) 0.010) Abdominal Drawing-in Maneuver (ADIM), greater Conclusions can be provide which promote contraction, improve activate subjects.