The effect of pain severity on postural stability and dynamic limits of stability in chronic low back pain.

BACKGROUND

Deficits of dynamic balance in chronic low back pain patients have been reported by different studies in terms of impaired postural control. However, they excluded the degree of pain as a determinant affecting dynamic balance.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effect of pain intensity on dynamic balance control in terms of postural stability indices (PSIs) and limits of stability (LOS) in chronic LBP patients.

METHODS

Sixty subjects (38 men, 22 women) participated in the current study, 45 patients with chronic LBP were selected randomly and served as the chronic LBP group while 15 healthy subjects served as the asymptomatic group (AS). The chronic LBP group was further classified in terms of pain intensity into 3 subgroups; low pain (LP), moderate pain (MP) and severe pain (SP) subgroups. The Biodex Balance System was used to measure the dynamic balance control (PSIs and LOS).

RESULTS

Statistical significant differences were found among AS group and chronic LBP subgroups in PSIs and LOS.

CONCLUSIONS

The intensity of pain has shown to be one of the determinants affecting dynamic balance in chronic LBP patients who showed differences in the impairment of PSIs and LOS with different degrees of pain.