Comparison of Whole-Body Electromyostimulation versus Recognized Back-Strengthening Exercise Training on Chronic Nonspecific Low Back Pain: A Randomized Controlled Study

Table 1

Baseline characteristics of both intervention groups.

Variable	CT (n = 55)	WB-EMS (n = 55)
Gender (m/f)^a	17/38	20/35	0.549
Age (years)^a	57.4 ± 7.6	54.4 ± 7.4	0.035
Height (m), m/f^b	1.83 ± 4/1.66 ± 7	1.82 ± 5/1.67 ± 7	0.825/0.440
Weight (kg), m/f^c	87.9 ± 7.5/73.5 ± 15.4	90.3 ± 15.2/73.9 ± 14.5	0.567/0.913
Total body fat (%), m/f^c	23.4 ± 4.3/35.0 ± 8.2	25.1 ± 8.9/32.9 ± 8.7	0.485/0.304
RMDQ (number of items)^a,d	4.8 ± 3.3	5.6 ± 3.9	0.277
Acute use of analgesics (n)^a	17	15	0.585
No regular exercise (n)^a	5	6	0.800

^aAssessed by baseline questionnaire. ^bMeasured via stadiometer. ^cMeasured via Bio-Impedance Analysis (DSM-BIA, InBody 770, Seoul, Korea). ^dRMDQ measured functional limitations due to low back pain and consists of a 24-point scale.