Instrument System for Functional Evaluation of The Back

Our goal is to develop a simple, low cost instrumentation system for objectively evaluating low bacpatients. There is a need for methods to objectively assess LBP patients, both as an initial evaluatmeasure of progress in treatment and rehabilitation. Despite the well documented costs of LBP, no moof LBP patients receive a definite diagnosis. Implementation of this instrument system will providemeasurements based on the Flexion Relaxation Phenomenon or FRP. The FRP characterizes the cessationmuscle activity when the trunk is flexed fully forward, as measured by surface EMG (electromyograph)device (inclinometer). It has been shown that patients who are suffering from low back pain exhibitFRP profiles than normals. Phase I will concern the development of an instrument system to measure tDevice implementation will be accomplished by increasing the functionality of the Fasstech Synergy,recently developed by the applicant organization. to demonstrate the feasibility of using the FRP wiclinical pilot study will be conducted on a select group of patients.