Influence of Selected Pain Characteristics on Segmental Spine Range of Motion in Patients with Low-Back Pain

Abstract

Background and objectives:Pain is an important etiology in the dysfunction and impairment of spinal architecture, biomechanics and function. However, there are conflicting findings in studies investigating the relationship between lumbar spine mobility and pain characteristics in patients with Low-Back Pain (LBP). This study compared cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine Range of Motion (ROM) between patients with Low-Back Pain (LBP) and their age, sex and somatotype-matched healthy controls. The study also investigated the influence of selected pain characteristics (intensity and duration of pain) on spinal range of motion in the patients. Methods: Two hundred and two participants (101 patients and healthy controls respectively) were purposively recruited from five selected physiotherapy out-patient clinics in South Western, Nigeria. The control participants were recruited from Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) and OAU Teaching Hospitals Complex, Ile-Ife, Nigeria. ROM and pain intensity were assessed using dual inclinometry technique and Visual Analog Scale (VAS) respectively. Somatotype was determined using the wrist girth measurement and body perception scale respectively. Data were also obtained on demographic and anthropometric variables. Results: The patients and control group were comparable in age (48.1 ± 15.1 vs. 48.0 ± 15.1yrs; p=0.996). The control group had significantly higher ROM in the cervical (t= -6.82; p= 0.001), thoracic (t= -6.59; p= 0.001) and lumbar (t= -4.36; p= 0.001) spine respectively. There was significant inverse correlation between pain intensity and lumbar ROM in flexion (r = -0.402, p = 0.001) and extension (r = -0.303, p = 0.002) respectively. Pain duration was not significantly correlated with ROM in any of the spinal segments (p>0.05). Conclusion: Patients with LBP had significantly lower cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine ROM compared with controls. Patients with higher pain intensity had lower lumbar spine ROM in flexion and extension respectively.