effects of consecutive supervised stabilitytraining on postural balance in patients with chronic low back pain

To examine the effects of consecutive supervised stability training on postural control of Chronic Low Back Pain [CLBP] population. Thirty-eight subjects with Chronic Low Back Pain [CLBP] were randomly assigned to one of two groups: Concise Supervised Stability Training [CSST] group [n=20] and electrotherapy [E] group [n=18]. Bilateral and unilateral stance ability with eyes open or closed was assessed by using Biodex Balance System. Postural indices including overall, anterior/posterior, medial/lateral stability indices and limit of stability parameters as time to complete and functional performance of subjects were recorded. Qualitative and quantitative variables were not significant between groups before treatment. Most postural indices showed significant decrease after stability training comparing with E group. CSST may improve postural balance in patients with Chronic Low Back Pain [CLBP] because of facilitating feed forward mechanism, proprioception and postural strategies. Nevertheless, more investigations are needed to evaluate the effects of CSST in Chronic Low Back Pain [CLBP] patients

Reliability of postural balance evaluation using the biodex balance system in subjects with and without low back pain

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the reliability of dynamic standing balance in individuals with and without low back pain [LBP] using Biodex Balance System [BBS]. Twenty three patients with LBP and 20 age-matched healthy subjects participated in this study. Bilateral and unilateral stance both with eyes open and eyes closed with the BBS over a period of 20s was assessed. The subjects were assigned to two groups [with and without LBP] by an independent observer. The tester was unaware of the group assignment and completed balance test using BBS. Two days after the first measurement session, the tester retested the subjects in the second measurement session in a random order, different from the first measurement session. The results of this study showed that the intra-class correlation coefficient in normal subjects and those with LBP was between [0.91-0.95] and [0.88-0.96] respectively. The results showed that BBS is reliable for evaluating dynamic postural balance in subjects with and without LBP. A significant difference was found in Medial-Lateral Stability Index [MLSI] and Overall Stability Index [OSI] between subjects with and without LBP. The findings of this study showed high reliability for BBS to evaluate dynamic postural balance in subjects with and without LBP

Evaluation of postural balance using the biodex balance system in subjects with and without low back pain

To evaluate the reliabiity of dynamic standing balance in individuals with and without low back pain [LBP] using Biodex Balance System [BBS] and to compare the balance indices between two groups. Across-sectional non-experimental design. Biomechanics Laboratory and Saba spine specific physical therapy clinic, University of social welfare and rehabilitation sciences, Tehran, Iran. Twenty three male patients with LBP [mean age: 30.4 +/- 6.5 years] and twenty age-matched healthy male subjects [mean age: 29.8 +/- 6.4 years] participated in this study. Medial-Lateral stability index [MLSI], Anterior-posterior stability index [APSI] and an Overall stability index [OSI] were measured in two measurement sessions using the BBS. Balance was measured in four conditions; bilateral and unilateral stance with eyes open and eyes closed; over a period of 20s. The results showed that ICC in healthy subjects and those with LBP was between [0.91-0.95] and [0.88-0.96] respectively. The Bland-Altman plot of agreement in balance scores between tests and retests demonstrated good agreement. A significant difference was found in MLSI and OSI between subjects with and without LBP. However, no significant difference was detected in APSI between two groups. The findings of this study showed high reliability for BBS to evaluate dynamic postural balance in subjects with and without LBP. It seems that MLSI and 051 significantly differ between subjects with and without LBP

Clinical trunk muscle endurance tests in subjects with and without low back pain

A cross-sectional non-experimental study.To collectively detect the reliability and feasibility of the five types of clinical tests that have been used to measure endurance of the trunk muscles in subjects with and without low back pain [LBP] and identify the sensitivity of each test to predict the probability of the occurrence of LBP.Testing spinal muscle endurance seems to be very important in prediction, prevention and rehabilitation of LBP. Several types of methods of static endurance testing such as: Sorensen test, prone isometric chest raise test, prone double straight-leg raise test, supine isometric chest raise test and supine double straight-leg raise test regarding their utilization have been reported in the literature. However, identification of the tests that have more dominant sensitivity on assessment of LBP has not yet been determined. Information regarding the sensitivity of each test is needed for effective prevention and appropriate treatment strategies.A total of 200 subjects participated in this study. Subjects were categorized into four groups: asymptomatic males [N= 50, mean age= 38+12 years], asymptomatic females [N= 50, mean age= 43+11 years], males with LBP [N= 50, mean age= 39+12 years], and females with LBP [N= 50, mean age= 43+12 years]. Five clinical tests were measured in each group and the relative association of each test on LBP was assessed.Among all the performed tests, the prone double straight-leg raise test had the highest association with LBP. Other tests such as the prone isometric chest raise test, Supine isometric chest raise test and Supine double straight-leg raise test had low association with LBP in comparison with the prone double straight-leg raise test.It seems that the prone double straight-leg raise test has more association with LBP than other tests and could be used as a useful method for testing spinal muscle endurance, prediction of the probability of the occurrence of LBP, and prevention and rehabilitation of LBP