Relationship between Low Back Pain and Lumbar Proprioception, Functional Stability, Static Endurance of Trunk Muscles and Balance in Adolescents

Abstract

Research background. Core management is particularly important for uninterrupted and continuous movement. Proprioceptive information is important to maintain the position of the body and control the centre of gravity. Low back pain ultimately affects motor control and leads to proprioceptive changes in injured structures and also can cause balance disorders. Unfortunately, it is unclear until now how low back pain affects proprioception. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between low back pain and lumbar proprioception, functional stability, static endurance of trunk muscles and balance in adolescents. Methods. 42 adolescents participated in the study: 18 control subjects and 24 subjects with low back pain. We used the following assessment methods: the visual pain intensity scale (VAS) for pain evaluation, “flamingo” test, single leg test and balance error score system for balance assessment, Matthiass functional stability test for functional stability, and Biodex 4 Pro isokinetic dynamometer using trunk extension-flexion modular component and four points kneeling methodology for the evaluation of static endurance of trunk muscles, and proprioception. Results. After the assessment of balance, functional stability and proprioception, the results of the control group were statistically signifcantly better (p < 0.05). There was a moderate correlation between low back pain and Biodex 30 degree target reposition sense (r = 0.55), four points kneeling target position sense (r = 0.66), between low back pain and balance tests – “flamingo” and single leg test (r = 0.68, r = 0.61), between pain and Mathiass test (r = 0.52), also between proprioception and balance tests’ results (r = 0.44, r = 0.44, r = 0.46), proprioception and Mathiass test (r = 0.52). There was a strong correlation between pain and balance error scoring test (r = 0.85), balance error scoring test and four points kneeling test results (r = 0.71). All these correlations

were statistically signifcant. Conclusions. After the assessment of balance, functional stability and proprioception, the results of the control group were statistically signifcantly better (p < α). There was a moderate correlation between pain and proprioception, balance tests, Mathiass test results, also between proprioception and balance tests, Mathiass test. There was a strong correlation between pain and balance error scoring test results, between proprioception and balance error scoring test results.

Keywords: Low back pain, proprioception, balance, functional stability.