Fig. 1


Line graphs of the mean changes over the intervention period in PSB and PSB+ . Changes in multifidus cross-sectional area (CSA, A), muscle thickness (MT, B) echo intensity (EI, C), strength (D), pain levels (VAS, E), disablility (ODI, F) and quality of life (SF-36 Physical, G; SF-36 Mental, H) in both groups, including standard error, adjusted for baseline values. Y-values respresent CSA in cm2, MT in cm, EI in arbitrary units, 0–255 AU, strength in Nm, pain intensity in mm (0–100), disability in points (0–50) and quality of life in points (0–100).