Lumbar Kinematics Assessment of Patients with Chronic Low Back Pain in Three Bridge Tests Using Miniaturized Sensors
Open Access
- 8 March 2023
- journal article
- research article
- Published by MDPI AG in Bioengineering
- Vol. 10 (3), 339
- https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering10030339
Abstract
Lumbar muscle atrophy, diminished strength, stamina, and increased fatigability have been associated with chronic nonspecific low back pain (LBP). When evaluating patients with LBP, trunk or core stability, provided by the performance and coordination of trunk muscles, appears to be essential. Several clinical tests have been developed to identify deficiencies in trunk performance, demonstrating high levels of validity and reproducibility. The most frequently prescribed tests for assessing the core body muscles are the prone plank bridge test (PBT), the side bridge test (SBT), and the supine bridge test (SUBT). However, quantitative assessments of the kinematics of the lumbar spine during their execution have not yet been conducted. The purpose of our study was to provide objective biomechanical data for the assessment of LBP patients. The lumbar spine ranges of motion of 22 healthy subjects (Group A) and 25 patients diagnosed with chronic LBP (Group B) were measured using two inertial measurement units during the execution of the PBT, SUBT, and SBT. Statistically significant differences between the two groups were found in all three tests’ kinematic patterns. This quantitative assessment of lumbar spine motion transforms the three bridge tests into an objective biomechanical diagnostic tool for LPBs that may be used to assess the efficacy of applied rehabilitation programs.This publication has 61 references indexed in Scilit:
- Clinical presentation and physiotherapy treatment of 4 patients with low back pain and isthmic spondylolisthesisJournal of Chiropractic Medicine, 2012
- Differences in end-range lumbar flexion during slumped sitting and forward bending between low back pain subgroups and gendersManual Therapy, 2012
- Spinous process morphology: the effect of ageing through adulthood on spinous process size and relationship to sagittal alignmentEuropean Spine Journal, 2011
- The Role of the Lumbar Multifidus in Chronic Low Back Pain: A ReviewPM&R, 2010
- Modified Pfirrmann Grading System for Lumbar Intervertebral Disc DegenerationSpine, 2007
- Kinematic and temporal interactions of the lumbar spine and hip during trunk extension in healthy male subjectsEuropean Spine Journal, 2007
- Sensitivity, specificity and predictive value of the clinical trunk muscle endurance tests in low back painClinical Rehabilitation, 2007
- A Clinical Tool for Office Assessment of Lumbar Spine Stabilization EnduranceAmerican Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, 2007
- Patterns of Lumbar Region Movement During Trunk Lateral Bending in 2 Subgroups of People With Low Back PainPTJ: Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Journal, 2007
- Reflex Activation of Gluteal Muscles in WalkingSpine, 1993