Examination of physical parameters related to pain and disability in chronic low back pain

The aim of this study was to evaluate lumbar and abdominal muscle stiffness, lower extremity muscle strength, balance, postural stability, plantar pressure distribution, fear of movement, depression and quality of life in patients with chronic low back pain, and to investigate the relationship between these parameters and pain and disability. 49 chronic low back pain individuals (34 female, 15 male) aged 19-50 years (33.1 ± 10.2 years) and 47 asymptomatic individuals (33 female, 14 male) aged 19-50 years (31,7±9 years) participated in this study which was planned as a case-control study. Participants' pain severity was assessed by using Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), muscle stiffness by elastography, muscle strength by isokinetic dynamometer, balance and postural stability by computer assisted balance system, plantar pressure distribution by pedobarography. Disability rate of individuals was evaluated by using Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), depression level by Beck Depression Scale, fear of movement by Tampa Kinesiophobia Inventory (TKI), quality of life by Short Form 36 (SF-36). It was found that lateral abdominal and lumbar muscle stiffness, lower extremity isokinetic muscle strength, postural stability and balance values and plantar pressure distribution values of patients with chronic low back pain were similar to asymptomatic individuals (p>0,05). It was revealed that depression and kinesophobia values of chronic low back pain patients were higher and quality of life values were lower compared to asymptomatic individuals (p<0,05). It was found that pain was associated with postural stability, balance and plantar pressure distribution and level of disability was associated with lumbar erector spina stiffness (p<0,05). The physical parameters were correlated with each other at different levels (p<0,05). The results show that although there is a change in the psychological state and quality of life of chronic low back pain individuals, there is no change in the physical parameters including lateral abdominal and lumbar muscle stiffness, lower extremity muscle strength, postural stability, balance and plantar pressure distribution. Psychosocial factors should be taken into consideration to understand chronic low back pain. Keywords: Chronic low back pain, disability, muscle stiffness, muscle strength, plantar pressure distribution, postural stability, balance