Comparison of lumbo-pelvic kinematics during trunk forward bending and backward return between patients with acute low back pain and asymptomatic controls

Iman Shojaei, Elizabeth G. Salt, Quenten Hooker, Linda R. Van Dillen, Babak Bazrgari

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

27 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background Prior studies have reported differences in lumbo-pelvic kinematics during a trunk forward bending and backward return task between individuals with and without chronic low back pain; yet, the literature on lumbo-pelvic kinematics of patients with acute low back pain is scant. Therefore, the purpose of this study was set to investigate lumbo-pelvic kinematics in this cohort. Methods A case-control study was conducted to investigate the differences in pelvic and thoracic rotation along with lumbar flexion as well as their first and second time derivatives between females with and without acute low back pain. Participants in each group completed one experimental session wherein they performed trunk forward bending and backward return at self-selected and fast paces. Findings Compared to controls, individuals with acute low back pain had larger pelvic range of rotations and smaller lumbar range of flexions. Patients with acute low back pain also adopted a slower pace compared to asymptomatic controls which was reflected in smaller maximum values for angular velocity, deceleration and acceleration of lumbar flexion. Irrespective of participant group, smaller pelvic range of rotation and larger lumbar range of flexion were observed in younger vs. older participants. Interpretation Reduced lumbar range of flexion and slower task pace, observed in patients with acute low back pain, may be the result of a neuromuscular adaptation to reduce the forces and deformation in the lower back tissues and avoid pain aggravation.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)66-71
Number of pages6
JournalClinical Biomechanics
Volume41
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 1 2017

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2016 Elsevier Ltd

Funding

This work was supported in part by the National Center for Research Resources and the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences [UL1TR000117]. Dr. Van Dillen's contribution was supported by grant NICHD/NCMRR R01 HD047709. The content of this manuscript is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the NIH.

FundersFunder number
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
NIH National Institute of Child Health and Human Development National Center for Medical Rehabilitation ResearchR01HD047709
NIH National Institute of Child Health and Human Development National Center for Medical Rehabilitation Research
National Center for Research Resources
National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS)UL1TR000117
National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS)
National Center for Medical Rehabilitation Research
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development

    Keywords

    • Acute low back pain
    • Age and motion pace effects
    • Forward bending and backward return
    • Lumbo-pelvic kinematics

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • Biophysics
    • Orthopedics and Sports Medicine

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