Evaluating Core Stability in Physical Therapy

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary purpose of the prone instability test?

To assess the endurance of hip and back extensor muscles

To evaluate the instability of lumbar segments (correct)

To predict the risk of non-specific lower back pain

To treat lumbar spine injuries

What is the position of the patient during the prone instability test?

Prone lying with the legs over the edge of the table (correct)

Lateral lying with the legs bent

Prone lying with the legs straight

Supine lying with the legs straight

What is the role of the therapist's right hand during the prone instability test?

To lift the patient's feet off the floor

To observe the patient's response to the test

To support the position of the left hand (correct)

To apply pressure to the targeted spinous process

What happens to the pain reported by the patient when they lift their feet off the floor during the prone instability test?

The pain decreases or disappears Signup and view all the answers

Why does lifting the feet off the floor relieve the patient's pain during the prone instability test?

Because the lumbar deep extensors contract Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the prone extension endurance test?

To evaluate the isometric endurance of hip and back extensor muscles Signup and view all the answers

What is the position of the patient during the prone extension endurance test?

Prone lying with the upper edge of the iliac crests in alignment with the edge of the table Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between the prone extension endurance test and non-specific lower back pain?

The test is used to predict the risk of non-specific lower back pain Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the straps in the extensor endurance test?

To fix the lower body to the table Signup and view all the answers

What is the interpretation of holding the position for less than 163 seconds in the extensor endurance test?

Poor extensor core endurance Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary muscle group tested in the side bridge endurance test?

Transverse abdominis, obliques, quadratus lumborum, and erector spinae Signup and view all the answers

What is the cutoff time for predicting low back pain in males during the next year in the extensor endurance test?

Less than 176 seconds Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of the flexor endurance test?

To evaluate the endurance of the core muscles Signup and view all the answers

What is the interpretation of falling below 60 degrees in less than 160 seconds in the flexor endurance test?

Poor flexor endurance Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Evaluation of Core Stability

Prone Instability Test:
- Purpose: Assess instability of lumbar segments (L1-L2 to L5-S1)
- Patient position: Prone lying with legs over the edge of the table and feet resting on the floor
- Therapist position: Standing at the side of the patient's lumbar spine
- Hand placement: Left hand on targeted spinous process with wrist extended, right hand supporting left hand
- Procedure: Apply posteroanterior pressure to each targeted lumbar vertebra, reapply with feet lifted off the floor if pain is reported
- Positive sign: Pain reported in first position but decreases or disappears in second position (feet lifted off the floor)
- Activation of lumbar deep extensors (multifidus and ilicostalis lumborum) relieves patient's pain when feet are lifted off the floor

Prone Extension Endurance Test

Purpose: Evaluate isometric endurance of hip and back extensor muscles, assess risk of non-specific lower back pain
Procedure:
- Patient lies prone on examining table with upper edge of iliac crests in alignment with the edge of the table
- Lower body is fixed to the table by three straps around pelvis, knees, and ankles
- Patient isometrically maintains upper body in a horizontal position while time is recorded
- Test is stopped after 240 seconds if patient experiences no difficulty
Positive sign: Holding position for less than 163 seconds indicates poor extensor core endurance (LBP), less than 176 seconds predicts low back pain during the next year in males

Side Bridge Endurance Test

Positive sign: Failure to maintain position for less than 45 seconds indicates poor endurance of TA, obliques, QL, and ES

Flexor Endurance Test

Positive sign: Patient falls below 60 degrees in less than 160 seconds (interpretation with caution)

Unilateral Supine Bridge Test

No specific details provided in the text

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Description

This quiz assesses core stability, specifically the prone instability test, used to evaluate lumbar segments in physical therapy. It covers the patient and therapist positions, and the purpose of the test.