The goal of this work is to present methodology to first evaluate the performance of an in vivo spine system and then to synthesize optimal neuromuscular control for rehabilitation interventions. This is achieved (1) by determining control system parameters such as static feedback gains and delays from experimental data, (2) by synthesizing the optimal feedback gains to attenuate the effect of ...

Low back pain (lumbago) is a common health problem globally. It is related to age, modern lifestyle (no exercise etc), and injuries. Its treatment includes a very broad spectrum of methods and its prevention is still unclear.We present Aristides, a 52-year old male, who has been suffering from low back pain for 10 years, and discovered a preventive and therapeutic maneuver that has helped him t...

Article: Sit-up tests have been included in most youth and adult fitness test batteries. One logical reason for their inclusion is the possible relationship between poor abdominal strength and the incidence of low back pain. Therefore, a number of timed field tests have been proposed to measure abdominal function. However, the published data on the validity of field test measures are sparse. Th...

A systematic literature review of population prevalence studies of low back pain between 1966 and 1998 was conducted to investigate data homogeneity and appropriateness for pooling. Fifty-six studies were analyzed using methodologic criteria that examined sample representativeness, data quality, and pain definition. Acceptable studies were assessed for homogeneity and appropriateness for poolin...