Differences in the Movement of the Diaphragm on Magnetic Resonance Imaging （MRI） According to the Position of the Lumbar Spine

Abstract

Objective: Patients with low back pain manifest minimal diaphragmatic displacement during breathing, and improvement in this displacement may result in low back pain alleviation.

Method: This study included 27 healthy young male and female participants. Diaphragmatic movement was visualized using magnetic resonance imaging under three conditions of lumbar spine angles (intermediate, lordotic, and kyphotic positions) and two breathing conditions (quiet and deep breathing). Then, displacements of the anterior, middle, and posterior parts of the diaphragm were calculated and compared.

Result: During quiet breathing, the displacement of the anterior part of the diaphragm was remarkably greater in the kyphotic position, and in the middle and posterior positions, the intermediate and kyphotic positions were considerably larger than the lordotic position. During deep breathing, the amount of displacement was remarkably greater in the intermediate and kyphotic positions than in the lordotic position for the anterior, middle, and posterior diaphragms.

Conclusion: It was suggested that passive placement of the lumbar spine in a lordotic position interferes with diaphragmatic movement during breathing. Diaphragmatic training in the supine position may be more effective if performed in the neutral or kyphotic position, rather than in the lumbar lordotic position.