Baseline, final and improvement scores for transversus abdominis recruitment and clinical outcomes, for all groups
| MCE (n = 11) | GE (n = 10) | SMT (n = 13) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transversus abdominis recruitment (% change from resting thickness) | |||
| Baseline | 4.6 (7.7) | 13.7 (14.9) | 8.5 (11.3) |
| Final | 12.4 (11.6) | 8.8 (12.1) | 4.9 (9.1) |
| Improvement | 7.8 (12.8) | −4.9 (10.7) | −3.7 (10.9) |
| Perceived recovery, 25 to 5 (SD) | |||
| Baseline | −2.91 (1.64) | −3.70 (1.06) | −2.38 (2.32) |
| Final | 2.09 (2.88) | 1.50 (3.24) | 3.08 (1.66) |
| Improvement | 5.00 (3.10)* | 5.20 (2.94)* | 5.46 (2.85)* |
| PSFS, 1 30 (SD) | |||
| Baseline | 11.09 (3.21) | 9.70 (4.14) | 11.62 (4.66) |
| Final | 18.91 (6.55) | 14.50 (6.29) | 20.92 (5.66) |
| Improvement | 7.82 (7.33)* | 4.80 (3.79)* | 9.31 (6.55)* |
| RM, 0–24 (SD) | |||
| Baseline | 14.00 (4.94) | 12.70 (6.00) | 9.77 (5.93) |
| Final | 7.36 (6.59) | 9.00 (6.04) | 4.15 (2.76) |
| Improvement | 6.64 (5.68)* | 3.7 (5.06)* | 5.62 (5.09)* |
| Pain, 0–10 (SD) | |||
| Baseline | 6.36 (2.20) | 7.50 (1.35) | 5.38 (2.22) |
| Final | 4.00 (2.37) | 4.70 (1.77) | 2.92 (1.71) |
| Improvement | 2.36 (3.20)* | 2.80 (2.70)* | 2.46 (2.33)* |
Values are means and standard deviations. Change scores were calculated so positive scores are improvements.
↵* Significant at p<0.05. Transversus abdominis recruitment measured as change in muscle thickness as percentage of resting thickness. GE, general exercises; MCE, motor control exercise; PSFS, patient-specific functional scale; RM, Roland Morris disability questionnaire; SMT, spinal manipulative therapy.