Proprioceptive acuity of the lumbar spine in low back pain and non-low back pain subjects

Phillips, D.R., Hurley, M.V., Davey, C.A. and Mullee, M.A. (2004) Proprioceptive acuity of the lumbar spine in low back pain and non-low back pain subjects. [in special issue: British Society for Rheumatology Annual Meeting 20–23 April 2004 Edinburgh, Scotland and British Health Professionals Spring Meeting 21–23 April 2004 Edinburgh, Scotland] Rheumatology, 43, supplement 2, ii151.

Abstract

Background: Proprioceptive acuity - our ability to appreciate body position and movement - is considered to make an essential contribution to functional stability of the spine. Pain may impair proprioceptive acuity and initiate or exacerbate joint damage. Low back pain (LBP) is a pervasive problem and the incidence and socio-economic consequences are increasing. Few studies have investigated the relationship between LBP and proprioception of the lumbar spine. This study investigated whether a history of LBP is associated with altered proprioceptive acuity of the lumbar spine.

Methods: Sixty one subjects with, and forty subjects without a history of LBP were recruited. Each subject's spinal reposition sense was assessed by an electro-goniometer placed over the lumbar spine. Testing was performed in standing and sitting. For both sitting and standing tests each subject was blindfolded and asked to flex or extend their low back slowly and stop at a random "test" position for 3 seconds. The subject was then instructed to return to the upright position. After 3 seconds the subject attempted to return to the "test" position the position they returned to was the "reproduced" position. This procedure was repeated 10 times in total. The absolute error between each "test" position and the "reproduced" position was calculated in degrees. The average mean error was then calculated and compared between the two groups using an independent-samples t test.

Results: No significant differences were found in the average mean error between the LBP and non-LBP subjects. In standing, the average mean error was 2.480 (SD=1.040) for LBP subjects and 2.210 (SD=0.650) for non-LBP subjects, with a mean difference of -0.270 (95% CI = -0.600 to 0.070; P = 0.118). In sitting, the average mean error was 1.780 (SD=0.800) for LBP subjects and 1.810 (SD=0.950) for non-LBP subjects, with a mean difference of 0.030 (95% CI = -0.310 to 0.380; P = 0.854).

Conclusions: There was no difference in proprioceptive acuity of the lumbar spine during flexion and extension movements for LBP and non-LBP subjects in sitting or standing.

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