Paul Sercu, PT, Ms, CERAP

Introduction
The sensorimotor approach according to the Danis Bois method (hereafter: SA DBM) differs from the classic “motor” approach (hereafter: CMA), which involves warming up and strengthening muscles, followed by stretching. SA DBM consists of consciously experiencing a slow, coordinated movement while in a perceptive state of “full presence”, in order to improve movement quality. The goal is to neutralize the stiffness and inhibition that come with low back pain. The objective of this pilot study is to measure and compare the outcomes of CMA ans SA DBM exercises. We measure pain, flexibility and the thickness of the thoracolumbar fascial sliding plane during a certain movement.

Methods
The control group did CMA exercises, the test group SA DBM exercises. For the inclinometry tests the pretest was used as a reference value. The length variations were calculated in relation to the pretest values. For flexibility the modified Schober test and the fingertip-to-floor test were chosen. Pain was measured on an analog pain scale filled in every morning and evening for three weeks. Ultrasound photos were collected for the thickness of the thoracolumbar fascial sliding plane (hereafter: TFSP thickness) (Mindray, digital ultrasonic diagnostic imaging system, model: DP-50).

Results
Flexibility:

Modified Schober:

  • Control group: 0% increase in length, standard deviation 1,5%, standard error 0%;
  • Test group: 8% increase in length, standard deviation of 7%, standard error 4%;

Fingertip-to-floor test:

  • Control group: 24% decrease in distance, standard deviation 11%, standard error 6%;
  • Test group: 80% decrease in distance, standard deviation 60%, standard error 30%;

Pain:

control group: steering coefficient -0.025 per day;

test group: -0.058 per day;

TFSP thickness: failed to measure.

Conclusion
SA DBM exercises result in greater flexibility and less pain than CMA exercises. Due to COVID: N6.
Two points of interest:
1. A stark improvement in the test group.
2. In the post-test and after thirty days of exercises, the ultrasound showed a reorganized fascial matrix and a realignment of the fibers in both groups, the greater change being observed in the test group.
This suggests that SA DBM exercises are more effective than CMA exercises to achieve these outcomes.