Activity For Low Back Pain Research Articles

Comparison of compensatory lumbar movement in participants with and without non-specific chronic low back pain: A cross-sectional study.

Many studies have compared muscle length and muscle activity for low back pain. However, compensatory movement for non-specific low back pain has not yet been studied sufficiently. The purpose of this study was to compare the length of the hip flexor, lumbar extensor endurance and the muscle activity of the erector spinae and gluteus maximus during hip extension, and the compensatory movement of the lumbar in people with or without nonspecific chronic low back pain. In this case-control study, 16 participants with non-specific chronic LBP and 17 without LBP were included. Hip flexor length was assessed by the modified Thomas test. Lumbar extensor endurance was assessed by the modified Biering-Sorensen test. Muscle activity of the erector spinae and gluteus maximus during hip extension was measured using a Delsys-Trigno wireless EMG system. Compensatory lumbar movements during hip extension were measured using a digital inclinometer. Muscle activity of the erector spinae and compensatory lumbar movements were significantly higher in the LBP group. (p< 0.05). Hip flexor length, muscle activity of the gluteus maximus and endurance of the lumbar extensor were significantly differences in the LBP group (p< 0.05). Shortened hip flexors, low gluteus maximus activity, and high erector spinae activity during hip extension, lumbar extensor weak endurance, lumbar compensatory movement are potential factors for non-specific LBP.

707High levels of back disability,but not back pain,are associated with reduced physical activity in women

Abstract Background Although clinical guidelines recommend physical activity for low back pain (LBP), our understanding of the physical activity undertaken by people with LBP is limited. We examined the amounts, intensities and types of physical activity performed by community-based women with different levels of pain and disability. Methods 542 women were invited to participate. Physical activity was measured using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, and LBP and disability were assessed using the Chronic Pain Grade Questionnaire. Participants were categorised into no/low or high pain intensity and disability groups. Results Women with high levels of back disability performed half the total physical activity of those with no/low levels of back disability (MET(hours/week): median(95%CI)=27.3(13.2-41.4) vs. 53.9(44.9-62.8),p=0.002), including less moderate (17.5(10.4-24.7) vs. 32.1(26.8-37.4),p&amp;lt;0.001) and domestic and gardening activity (14.4(7.2- 21.7) vs. 23.5(19.0-28.0), p = 0.02). Moreover, fewer women with high disability participated in vigorous (3(8.11%) vs. 134(32.0%),OR(95%CI)=0.17(0.04-0.75),p=0.02) and leisure activities (17(45.9%) vs. 294(70.2%),OR(95% CI)=0.44(0.21-0.94),p=0.03) compared to those with no/low disability. There were no differences in physical activity between women with no/low and high pain intensity (all p &amp;gt; 0.05). Conclusions High levels of back disability, but not back pain intensity, were associated with reduced physical activity, including less total activity, moderate and vigorous intense activity, and discretionary activity. Key messages These findings highlight the impact of high levels of disability on physical activity. Further work is needed to determine whether targeting these types and intensities of physical activity will help in reducing back disability.

Is there a causal relationship between acute stage sensorimotor cortex activity and the development of chronic low back pain? a protocol and statistical analysis plan

IntroductionWhy some people develop chronic pain following an acute episode of low back pain is unknown. Recent cross-sectional studies have suggested a relationship between aberrant sensorimotor cortex activity and pain...

Translation, cross-cultural adaptation, and psychometric properties of the Hausa version of the Fear-Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire in patients with low back pain.

Background and aims The Fear-Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire (FABQ) is the most widely used self-reported measure of fear-avoidance beliefs about work and physical activity in low back pain (LBP). However, there is no Hausa version for use in patients with LBP. This study aimed to translate, cross-culturally adapt, and test the psychometric properties of the Hausa version of the FABQ in patients with LBP. Methods The Hausa form of FABQ was developed using a forward-backward translation procedure according to recommended guidelines. The pre-final version of the questionnaire was pre-tested on 10 patients with acute LBP and 10 patients with chronic LBP. Psychometric testing was performed in 70 patients with acute LBP and 130 patients with chronic LBP. Reliability was assessed using internal consistency (Cronbach α) and test-retest reliability through intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Construct validity was assessed by exploratory factor analysis and divergent validity (Spearman rank correlation coefficient). Responsiveness was also investigated on 40 patients with chronic LBP. Results The Hausa version of the FABQ was successfully translated and proved to be well-understood. The internal consistency was adequate for the questionnaire (0.773) and its physical activity (0.816) and work (0.606) subscales. Test-retest reliability was excellent with an ICC value of 0.928 for the questionnaire and values of 0.901 and 0.863 for the physical activity and work subscales, respectively. Exploratory factor analysis yielded a three-factor structure in both acute and chronic LBP samples explaining 66.4% and 58.6% of the total variance, respectively. The first factor represents fear-avoidance beliefs due to work, the second factor represents fear-avoidance beliefs due to physical activity whereas the third factor represents the fear that pain aggravates due to work. Divergent validity showed moderate to weak correlation between the questionnaire and pain intensity (r=0.502), disability (r=0.415), lumbopelvic motion (r=0.00). The physical activity and work subscales weakly correlated (r=0.280). The effect size and standardized response mean were moderate to small with the work subscale having the lowest effect size (0.34) and standardized response mean (0.34) values. The MDC of the questionnaire was 5.4 points. The questionnaire had no ceiling or floor effects. Conclusions The FABQ was successfully translated into Hausa and cross-culturally adapted with acceptable psychometric properties similar to those of existing versions. The results suggest that the Hausa FABQ can be used to evaluate fear-avoidance beliefs about LBP in Hausa-speaking population for both clinical and research purposes.

A Randomized Controlled Trial of Telephone Coaching for Return to Usual Activity in Low Back Pain

Up to 90% of adults experience low back pain (LBP) at some stage in their lives. Most people recover from LBP within months; however a small proportion experience ongoing activity limitation and work disability. If individuals at risk of poor outcome are identified early, targeted intervention may reduce the human and economic costs associated with chronic LBP. A person’s own recovery expectation has been shown to be a strong and robust predictor of outcome. An individualised intervention aimed at addressing psychosocial aspects of recovery may improve outcomes when added to usual care for NSLBP.

Low back pain among Irish farmers

Despite farming being regarded as a high-risk activity for low back pain (LBP), little LBP research exists for this work sector. To establish LBP prevalence, beliefs regarding LBP, perceived LBP risk factors, related health service utilization, awareness and participation in manual-handling training among farmers in Ireland. A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was distributed to 200 farmers in Ireland via five Irish veterinary practices. Data were entered onto the Statistical package for the Social Sciences (version 12.0.1) and analysed using descriptive statistics while qualitative data were coded and analysed for common themes. The response rate was 52% (n = 104). Lifetime, annual and point prevalence of LBP was 74% (n = 77), 54% (n = 56) and 27% (n = 28), respectively. Of respondents with a history of LBP, 72% (n = 55) stated that farming had contributed to their problem. Sixty-three per cent (n = 31) identified lifting as a contributory factor to their LBP. The majority of respondents (86%, n = 66) with LBP sought some form of treatment, with 73% (n = 56) of these having attended a general practitioner (GP). Few respondents (13%, n = 14) had ever attended a manual-handling course. A high prevalence of LBP was found among farmers, with lifting being reported as the major contributing factor. GPs were the most commonly utilized healthcare practitioner for LBP. Farmers do not commonly attend manual-handling courses with many noting they were not widely accessible or adequately publicized. There is a need for high-quality studies to examine the effectiveness of different interventions to prevent LBP among the Irish farming population.

The effectiveness of graded activity for low back pain in occupational healthcare

Background: Low back pain is a common medical and social problem associated with disability and absence from work. Knowledge on effective return to work (RTW) interventions is scarce. Objective: To...

A behavioural-oriented graded activity program reduced the number of days absent from work because of low back pain

Summary of Staal JB, Hlobil H, Twisk JW, Smid T, Koke AJ and van Mechelen W (2004): Graded activity for low back pain in occupational health care: A randomized, controlled trial.

Voorschrijven van activiteit voor lage-rugpijn: wat werkt?

Prescription of activity for low back pain: What works? [Australian Journal of Physiotherapy 1999;45(2):121-32]

Prescription of activity for low back pain: What works?

This paper provides evidence-based guidelines for the prescription of activity in the management of non-specific low back pain (NSLBP). The 62 clinical trials published between 1966 and 1997, identified by a search of the Medline and Cinahl databases, were reviewed to provide the basis for the guidelines. The available evidence suggests that physiotherapists should advise patients with acute and sub-acute NSLBP to avoid bed rest and to return to normal activity using time rather than pain as the guide to activity resumption. While structured exercise programs have not been shown to provide a benefit for acute NSLBP, there is strong evidence to support their use for patients with sub-acute and chronic NSLBP and in the prevention of NSLBP.