OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to examine correlations between lumbar kinematics, functional disability and fear avoidance beliefs among adults with nonspecific chronic low back pain (LBP).

METHODS

This cross-sectional study was conducted between March and December 2014. A total of 32 adults diagnosed with nonspecific chronic LBP were recruited from outpatients attending either an orthopaedic clinic at a university hospital or a private physiotherapy clinic in Malaysia. Lumbar kinematics were measured using sensors attached at the first lumbar (L1) and second sacral (S2) vertebrae levels. The Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and Fear-Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire (FABQ) were used to assess degree of functional disability and fear avoidance beliefs, respectively.

RESULTS

For maximum range of motion, positive correlations were observed between ODI scores and right lateral flexion and right rotation ( = 0.01 each), although there was a negative correlation with left rotation ( = 0.03). With maximum angular velocity, ODI scores were positively correlated with right and left lateral flexion L1 ( = 0.01 and <0.01, respectively) but negatively correlated with left lateral flexion L2 ( = 0.04). Regarding minimum angular velocity, ODI scores were positively correlated with left lateral flexion S2 ( <0.01) but negatively correlated with right and left lateral flexion L1 ( = 0.02 each), right rotation L1 ( = 0.02) and left rotation S2 ( = 0.01). No significant correlations were found between lumbar kinematics and FABQ scores.

CONCLUSION

These findings suggest that certain lumbar kinematic parameters are correlated with functional disability, but not with fear avoidance beliefs.