Examination of a Regression Model to Quantify the Severities of Low Back Pain and Lower Limb Symptoms in Patients with Lumbar Spinal Stenosis / The Japanese Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine

ABSTRACT

Objective：The Japanese Orthopaedic Association Low Back Pain Evaluation Questionnaire (JOABPEQ) consists of 25 questions, which allows for the multifaceted evaluation of patients with low back pain. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether the JOABPEQ could be used to construct a regression model to quantify low back pain, lower limb symptoms, and hip range of motion (ROM) in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis.Methods：We evaluated 115 patients with lumbar spinal stenosis scheduled to undergo surgery at our hospital. We measured the degrees of low back pain, lower leg pain, and lower leg numbness using the visual analog scale before the surgery. In addition, we measured the ROM of the hip joint during flexion, external rotation, and internal rotation. All responses of the JOABPEQ and physical function data were subjected to a partial least-squares (PLS) regression analysis.Results：Low back pain, lower limb pain, lower limb numbness, and hip ROM during flexion could each be used for significant regression models with JOABPEQ items. However, the hip ROMs during external and internal rotation could not be used for regression models with the JOABPEQ.Conclusion：On the basis of the results of the PLS regression analysis in this study, the degree of pain symptoms in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis may be quantified with the JOABPEQ items. Furthermore, the flexion angle of the hip ROM was quantified using the JOABPEQ items. The results of this study may indicate an effective means for establishing treatment plans for physical therapy.