Relationship Between Spinal Mobility, Physical Performance, Pain Intensity and Functional Disability In Patients With Chronic Low Back Pain

Abstract

Background: Physiotherapy clinical assessment has traditionally relied on clinical tests of impairment. These tests correlate poorly with patients’ pain and dysfunction, especially in the case of chronic pain. This study was designed to investigate the correlation between some of these tests in patients with chronic low back pain. Methodology: Twenty-three patients (16 males, 7 females) with chronic low back pain participated in the study. Roland- Morris Disability Questionnaire (R-MDQ), Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and Physical Performance Battery (PPB) were used to collect data. The spinal range of motion was assessed using a tape measure and a goniometer. Data analysis was done using Pearson Moment Product correlation coefficient and Spearman’s Rank. Results: Statistical analysis showed that there was a significant inverse correlation between repeated trunk flexion and anterior trunk flexion (r = -0.488, p<0.05), extension and 50-foot walk (r = -0.462; p<0.05). There was also a significant correlation between functional disability and 50-foot walk (r = 0.456 p<0.05) among all subjects. Conclusion: Increase in pain may not necessarily result in increase in functional disability, as relevant improvements in pain may lead to almost unnoticeable change in disability clinically. Therefore, self-report of disability by patients may not be adequate in making clinical judgement of their condition without the objective assessment of their physical performance. KEYWORDS: Low back pain, Physical performance, Spinal mobility.