Objective: This study was performed to evaluate the prevalence of new neuromuscular symptoms and disabilities and the psychological characteristics-depressioin, anxiety, type A behavior, loneliness, and also to determine any relationships between physical and neuropsychological characteristics in a group of post-polio syndrome (PPS).

Method: By 70 answered questionnaire, the polio survivors were grouped into PPS and Non- PPS. This questionnaire consisted of questions about acute polio problems; new health problems, fatigue severity scale, visual analog scale, weakness scale, Frenchay activity index, ambulation disability index; socio-economic problems; neuro-psychological inventories, Beck depression index, Spielberger state-trait anxiety inventory, revised UCLA loneliness scale, type A personality score.

Results: The median time from polio to the onset of new health problems was 27.6 years. Fatigue, muscle and/or joint pain, weakness in previously affected and unaffected muscles were most common newly appearing problems. The symptoms of PPS was consistent with the distribution of the anterior horn cell; spinal cord, brain stem, cerebral hemisphere, Reticular Activating System (RAS). Neuro-psychological evaluations revealed that fatigue scale was correlated with depression, type A personality.

Conclusion: In PPS group, pain, weakness, fatigue, autonomous symptoms, decreased concentration were more serious than in Non-PPS group. The fatigue in PPS group was correlated with type A personality, depression, sleep disturbance and concentration problem.

Objective: To evaluate the correlation of the cross-sectional areas (CSA) of paraspinal muscles (back extensors and psoas muscles) and full range-of-motion isometric lumbar extension strength in the individuals with low back pain.

Method: Twenty four subjects (14 men and 10 women) with low back pain completed a maximum isometric lumbar extension strength test at seven angles through a 72^o range of motion (0, 12, 24, 36, 48, 60, 72 degrees of lumbar flexion). CSA of back extensors and psoas muscles were measured from standardized transaxial view by CT scanner.

Results: CSA of lumbar extensor and psoas were correlated with isometric lumbar extension strength from full flexion to extension in the low back pain patients. The greater the lumbar flexion angle, the greater the coefficient of determination (R²). The correlation coefficients of psoas muscles were greater than those of lumbar extensors.

Conclusion: Both back extensors and psoas muscles do their important role during isometric lumbar extension. Isometric lumbar extension strength of full lumbar flexion is well correlated with CSA of paraspinal muscles.

The purposes of this study were to measure the normal value of peak torque of lumbar extensors at various degrees of lumbar flexion and to compare this with the chronic low back pain patient. 100 normal subjects, 70 men(age, 49.0±5.3) and 30 women(age, 48.1±7.4), completed isometric lumbar extension strength test. 26 low back pain subjects, 9 men(age, 35.3±14.7) and 17 women(age, 42.6±10.1), completed isometric lumbar extension strength test. Normal male peak torques of lumbar extensors were 125±38 Ft-lbs at 0 degree, 164±43 at 12 degree, 200±43 at 24 degree, 221±46 at 36 degree, 241±50 at 48 degree, 257±50 at 60 degree, and 262±51 at 72 degree of lumbar flexion. Normal female peak torques of lumbar extensors were 78±24 at 0 degree, 105±27 at 12 degree, 120±38 at 24 degree, 135±35 at 36 degree, 142±37 at 48 degree, 151±40 at 60 degree, and 157±41 at 72 degree of lumbar flexion. Normal peak torques of lumbar extensors increase as degrees of lumbar flexion increase. Body weight is more correlated with peak torque than body mass index. Male peak torques of lumbar extensors with low back pain were 91±47 Ft-lbs at 0 degree, 129±46 at 12 degree, 156±57 at 24 degree, 178±61 at 36 degree, 197±54 at 48 degree, 217±61 at 60 degree, and 218±52 at 72 degree of lumbar flexion. Female peak torques of lumbar extensors with low back pain were 45±24 at 0 degree, 73±28 at 12 degree, 98±32 at 24 degree, 117±44 at 36 degree, 130±40 at 48 degree, 138±41 at 60 degree, and 148±36 at 72 degree of lumbar flexion. Peak torques of lumbar extensors with low back pain increase as degrees of lumbar flexion increase. Comparison of the normal male peak torque of lumbar extensors with low back pain group revealed statistical differences at 48 and 72 degree of lumbar extensors. And the female group revealed statistical difference at 0, 12, and 24 degree of lumbar flexion.