The relationship of thoracolumbar fascia flexibility with trunk proprioception and spinal posture in individuals with non-specific low back pain

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between thoracolumbar fascia flexibility and trunk proprioception and spinal posture in individuals with non-specific low back pain. A total of 80 people with non-specific low back pain, 24 females and 16 males with a mean age of 52.45±7.0 years and 23 females and 17 males with a mean age of 52.75±7.6 years, respectively, participated in the study. Visual Analog Scale (VAS) was used to determine the severity of pain, Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Questionnaire was used to evaluate the effect of low back pain on daily life, and International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ) was used to determine physical activity levels.Thoracolumbar fascia flexibility was evaluated with a goniometric platform, trunk proprioception was evaluated with a mobile application "inclinometer" application and spinal posture was evaluated with Spinal Mouse device. There was a significant difference in VAS and Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Questionnaire scores between the groups with and without nonspecific low back pain (p<0.01). IPAQ scores were similar between the groups (p=0.288). Thoracolumbar fascia flexibility of the group with nonspecific low back pain was found to be less than the healthy group (p<0.01). The mean deviation of proprioception was higher in the nonspecific low back pain group compared to the healthy group (p=0.001). When the results obtained from the posture evaluation were compared, no significant result was found in general (p>0.05). There was no correlation between thoracolumbar fascia flexibility and trunk proprioception. In conclusion, it is recommended to evaluate thoracolumbar fascia flexibility in individuals with non-specific low back pain and to include methods to increase fascia flexibility and improve proprioception in the treatment program.