Effects of mirror neuron activation therapies on functionality in older adults: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: To identify the effects of mirror neuron activation (MNAT) combined or not with physical exercise (PE) in healthy older adults, on functionality, balance, gait velocity and risk of falls. METHODS: A systematic electronic search was performed in PubMed/MEDLINE, Cochrane, and Embase databases. RESULTS: Thirteen randomized controlled trials were included in the qualitative analysis, and eleven in the quantitative analysis. All studies showed fair to high quality and the most frequent high-risk bias was "Blinding of participants and personnel". Compared to the control condition, higher improvement was shown in older people who received MNAT, on functionality (1.57 [0.57, 2.62], balance (1.95 [1.32, 2.572]), and gait velocity (1.20 [0.30, 2.11]). Compared to PE, MNAT combined with PE does not improve functionality. More studies are needed to assess MNAT effectiveness in the rest of the outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Neuron system activation through MNAT improves relevant abilities in older adults, with better results when including functional activities. However, the beneficial effects on these variables of adding MNAT to a PE program are controversial.

The Reliability and Accuracy of a Fall Risk Assessment Procedure Using Mobile Smartphone Sensors Compared with a Physiological Profile Assessment.

Falls in older people are a major health concern as the leading cause of disability and the second most common cause of accidental death. We developed a rapid fall risk assessment based on a combination of physical performance measurements made with an inertial sensor embedded in a smartphone. This study aimed to evaluate and validate the reliability and accuracy of an easy-to-use smartphone fall risk assessment by comparing it with the Physiological Profile Assessment (PPA) results. Sixty-five participants older than 55 performed a variation of the Timed Up and Go test using smartphone sensors. Balance and gait parameters were calculated, and their reliability was assessed by the (ICC) and compared with the PPAs. Since the PPA allows classification into six levels of fall risk, the data obtained from the smartphone assessment were categorised into six equivalent levels using different parametric and nonparametric classifier models with neural networks. The F1 score and geometric mean of each model were also calculated. All selected parameters showed ICCs around 0.9. The best classifier, in terms of accuracy, was the nonparametric mixed input data model with a 100% success rate in the classification category. In conclusion, fall risk can be reliably assessed using a simple, fast smartphone protocol that allows accurate fall risk classification among older people and can be a useful screening tool in clinical settings.

Classification of Parkinson's disease stages with a two-stage deep neural network.

Introduction: Parkinson's disease is one of the most prevalent neurodegenerative diseases. In the most advanced stages, PD produces motor dysfunction that impairs basic activities of daily living such as balance, gait, sitting, or standing. Early identification allows healthcare personnel to intervene more effectively in rehabilitation. Understanding the altered aspects and impact on the progression of the disease is important for improving the quality of life. This study proposes a two-stage neural network model for the classifying the initial stages of PD using data recorded with smartphone sensors during a modified Timed Up & Go test. Methods: The proposed model consists on two stages: in the first stage, a semantic segmentation of the raw sensor signals classifies the activities included in the test and obtains biomechanical variables that are considered clinically relevant parameters for functional assessment. The second stage is a neural network with three input branches: one with the biomechanical variables, one with the spectrogram image of the sensor signals, and the third with the raw sensor signals. Results: This stage employs convolutional layers and long short-term memory. The results show a mean accuracy of 99.64% for the stratified k-fold training/validation process and 100% success rate of participants in the test phase. Discussion: The proposed model is capable of identifying the three initial stages of Parkinson's disease using a 2-min functional test. The test easy instrumentation requirements and short duration make it feasible for use feasible in the clinical context.

Effect of virtual running with exercise on functionality in pre-frail and frail elderly people: randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Virtual mirror therapies could increase the results of exercise, since the mirror neuron system produces an activation of motor execution cortical areas by observing actions performed by others. In this way, pre-frail and frail people could use this system to reach an exercise capacity threshold and obtain health benefits. AIM: The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of a virtual running (VR) treatment combined with specific physical gait exercise (PE) compared to placebo VR treatment combined with PE on functionality, pain, and muscular tone in pre-frail and frail older persons. METHODS: A single blinded, two-arm, randomised controlled trial design was employed. Thirty-eight participants were divided into two intervention arms: Experimental Intervention (EI) group, in which VR and gait-specific physical exercises were administered and Control Intervention (CI) group, in which a placebo virtual gait and the same exercise programme was administered. Functionality, pain, and tone were assessed. RESULTS: EI group improved in aerobic capacity, functional lower-limb strength, reaction time, and pain, while CI group remained the same. Regarding static balance and muscle tone, no differences were found for either group. Further analysis is needed to asses VR effectiveness for improving gait, stand-up and sit-down performance and velocity. CONCLUSIONS: Virtual running therapy appears to enhance capacities related with voluntary movements (i.e., aerobic capacity, functional lower-limb strength, and reaction time) and reduce pain.

Impact of Parkinson's Disease on Functional Mobility at Different Stages.

Introduction: Specific functional assessments to determine the progression of Parkinson's Disease (PD) are important to slow down such progression and better plan rehabilitation. This study aimed to explore possible differences in the performance of different functional tasks included in a mobility test using sensors embedded in an Android device, in people at different PD stages. Materials and Methods: Eighty-seven participants with PD agreed to participate in this cross-sectional study. They were assessed once using an inertial sensor and variables related to functional status were recorded (i.e., MLDisp, APDisp, DispA, Vrange, MLRange, PTurnSit, PStand, TTime, and RTime). Results: There was significant impairment of the vertical range during gait between stages I and II. Further, when stages II and III were compared, the sit-to-stand power was significantly impaired, and the total time required to complete the test increased significantly (p < 0.05). Even more significant differences were obtained when stages I and III were compared, in particular, dysfunction in postural control, vertical range, sit to stand power and total time. Finally, there were no significant differences between stages in the medial-lateral displacements and reaction time (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Functional mobility becomes more significantly impaired in the PD population as the PD stages progress. This implies impaired postural control, decreased ability to sit down or stand up from a chair, increased metabolic cost during walking, and overall slowing-down of motor function.

Accuracy of a 3D temporal scanning system for gait analysis: Comparative with a marker-based photogrammetry system.

BACKGROUND: Combining the accuracy of marker-based stereophotogrammetry and the usability and comfort of markerless human movement analysis is a difficult challenge. 3D temporal scanners are a promising solution, since they provide moving meshes with thousands of vertices that can be used to analyze human movements. RESEARCH QUESTION: Can a 3D temporal scanner be used as a markerless system for gait analysis with the same accuracy as traditional, marker-based stereophotogrammetry systems? METHODS: A comparative study was carried out using a 3D temporal scanner synchronized with a marker-based stereophotogrammetry system. Two gait cycles of twelve healthy adults were measured simultaneously, extracting the positions of key anatomical points from both systems, and using them to analyze the 3D kinematics of the pelvis, right hip and knee joints. Measurement differences of marker positions and joint angles were described by their root mean square. A t-test was performed to rule out instrumental errors, and an F-test to evaluate the amplifications of marker position errors in dynamic conditions. RESULTS: The differences in 3D landmark positions were between 1.9 and 2.4 mm in the reference pose. Marker position errors were significantly increased during motion in the medial-lateral and vertical directions. The angle relative errors were between 3% and 43% of the range of motion, with the greatest difference being observed in hip axial rotation. SIGNIFICANCE: The differences in the results obtained between the 3D temporal scanner and the marker-based system were smaller than the usual errors due to lack of accuracy in the manual positioning of markers on anatomical landmarks and to soft-tissue artefacts. That level of accuracy is greater than other markerless systems, and proves that such technology is a good alternative to traditional, marker-based motion capture.

Effects of Dual-Task Group Training on Gait, Cognitive Executive Function, and Quality of Life in People With Parkinson Disease: Results of Randomized Controlled DUALGAIT Trial.

OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study were to analyze the effects of a dual-task group program, to compare it with the effects of a single-task group program, and to analyze the effects of functional secondary tasks. DESIGN: Single-blind randomized controlled trial. SETTING: University laboratory and a rehabilitation gym at a health center. PARTICIPANTS: Patients (N=40) with a diagnosis of Parkinson disease (mean age, 66.72y; age range, 44-79y) with Hoehn and Yahr stage I to III who were on medication were randomized to either a group with dual-task training or a group with single-task training (only gait). INTERVENTION: Both interventions involved 20 sessions lasting 1 hour each and conducted twice a week. Dual-task training included walking exercises and cognitive or motor tasks carried out separately, then later performed together as a dual-task according to a progressive protocol in the same training session. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Velocity and spatiotemporal parameters of gait were measured without a secondary task and during dual-task gait combined with a visual, verbal, auditory, and motor task. In addition, executive cognitive function and quality of life were measured. Assessments were conducted at baseline, postrehabilitation, and at the 8-week follow-up. RESULTS: The dual-task group demonstrated improved velocity and stride length time in all assessment conditions after training (P<.05), as well as perceived quality of life (P<.05). The single-task group experienced improvements in the same outcomes for only the motor condition (P<.05) after training, but failed to improve perceived quality of life (P>.05). Likewise, the dual-task group showed higher velocity and stride length after treatment than the single-task group across conditions. No significant changes were observed in cognitive performance (P>.05), although the dual-task group tended to improve performance during the executive function test. CONCLUSIONS: Dual-task training in functional contexts is associated with greater improvements in velocity and stride length in patients with PD compared with regular physiotherapy without secondary tasks. Dual-task training also improves perceived quality of life.

Assessment of Functional Activities in Individuals with Parkinson's Disease Using a Simple and Reliable Smartphone-Based Procedure.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder leading to functional impairment. In order to monitor the progression of the disease and to implement individualized therapeutic approaches, functional assessments are paramount. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of PD on balance, gait, turn-to-sit and sit-to-stand by means of a single short-duration reliable test using a single inertial measurement unit embedded in a smartphone device. Study participants included 29 individuals with mild-to moderate PD (PG) and 31 age-matched healthy counterparts (CG). Functional assessment with FallSkip® included postural control (i.e., Medial-Lateral (ML) and Anterior-Posterior (AP) displacements), gait (Vertical (V) and Medial-Lateral (ML) ranges), turn-to-sit (time) and sit-to-stand (power) tests, total time and gait reaction time. Our results disclosed a reliable procedure (intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) = 0.58-0.92). PG displayed significantly larger ML and AP displacements during the postural test, a decrease in ML range while walking and a longer time needed to perform the turn-to-sit task than CG (p < 0.05). No differences between groups were found for V range, sit-to-stand test, total time and reaction time (p > 0.05). In conclusion, people with mild-to-moderate PD exhibit impaired postural control, altered gait strategy and slower turn-to-sit performance than age-matched healthy people.

Interference of functional dual-tasks on gait in untrained people with Parkinson's disease and healthy controls: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: In Parkinson's disease (PD) population, performing secondary tasks while walking further deteriorates gait and restrict mobility in functional contexts of daily life. This study (1) analyzed the interference of functional cognitive and motor secondary task on untrained people with PD and (2) compared their walking with healthy subjects. METHODS: Forty people with PD (aged 66.72 [7.5] years, Hoehn and Yahr stage I-II-III, on-medication) composed the PD group (PDG) and 43 participants (aged 66.60 [8.75] years) formed the group of healthy counterparts (HG). Gait was evaluated through spatiotemporal, kinematic and kinetic outcomes in five conditions: single task (ST) and visual, verbal, auditory and motor dual-task (DT). RESULTS: The velocity, stride length, and braking force performance of both groups was statistically higher in the ST condition than in verbal, auditory and motor DT (p < .05), and inferior in double support time and midstance force (p < .05). The same pattern was observed when compared the ST and visual DT condition, where participants showed a significantly higher stride length, double support time and braking force in the ST (p < .05). In addition, the PDG exhibited a significant shorter double support time and midstance force, and showed a higher braking force in the visual DT than in the verbal DT (p < .05). Similarly, the PDG showed a wider stride in the visual DT than in the motor DT condition (p < .05). PDG participants had a significantly lower performance than the HG in all the variables analyzed except for the maximum hip extension in the stance phase (p > .05). CONCLUSIONS: In untrained participants with PD, verbal and motor secondary tasks affect gait significantly, while auditory and visual tasks interfere to a lesser extent. Untrained people with PD have a poorer gait performance than their healthy counterparts, but in different grades according to the analyzed variables. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The data in this paper are part of a single-blind, randomized, controlled trial and correspond to the evaluations performed before a physical rehabilitation program, retrospectively registered with the number at clinicaltrial.govNCT04038866.

Mobility assessment in people with Alzheimer disease using smartphone sensors.

BACKGROUND: Understanding the functional status of people with Alzheimer Disease (AD), both in a single (ST) and cognitive dual task (DT) activities is essential for identifying signs of early-stage neurodegeneration. This study aims to compare the performance quality of several tasks using sensors embedded in an Android device, among people at different stages of Alzheimer and people without dementia. The secondary aim is to analyze the effect of cognitive task performance on mobility tasks. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study including 22 participants in the control group (CG), 18 in the group with mild AD and 22 in the group with moderate AD. They performed two mobility tests, under ST and DT conditions, which were registered using an Android device. Postural control was measured by medial-lateral and anterior-posterior displacements of the COM (MLDisp and APDisp, respectively) and gait, with the vertical and medial-lateral range of the COM (Vrange and MLrange). Further, the sit-to-stand (PStand) and turning and sit power (PTurnSit), the total time required to complete the test and the reaction time were measured. RESULTS: There were no differences between the two AD stages either for ST or DT in any of the variables (p > 0.05). Nevertheless, people at both stages showed significantly lower values of PStand and PTurnSit and larger Total time and Reaction time compared to CG (p < 0.05). Further, Vrange is also lower in CDR1G than in CG (p < 0.05). The DT had a significant deleterious effect on MLDisp in all groups (p < 0.05) and on APDisp only in moderate AD for DT. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that AD patients present impairments in some key functional abilities, such as gait, turning and sitting, sit to stand, and reaction time, both in mild and moderate AD. Nevertheless, an exclusively cognitive task only influences the postural control in people with AD.

Characterization of postural control impairment in women with fibromyalgia.

The main goal of this cross-sectional study was to detect whether women with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) have altered postural control and to study the sensory contribution to postural control. We also explored the possibility that self-induced anxiety and lower limb strength may be related to postural control. For this purpose, 129 women within an age range of 40 to 70 years were enrolled. Eighty of the enrolled women had FMS. Postural control variables, such as Ellipse, Root mean square (RMS) and Sample entropy (SampEn), in both directions (i.e. mediolateral and anteroposterior), were calculated under five different conditions. A force plate was used to register the center of pressure shifts. Furthermore, isometric lower limb strength was recorded with a portable dynamometer and normalized by lean body mass. The results showed that women with FMS have impaired postural control compared with healthy people, as they presented a significant increase in Ellipse and RMS values (p<0.05) and a significant decrease in SampEn in both directions (p<0.05). Postural control also worsens with the gradual alteration of sensory inputs in this population (p<0.05). Performing a stressor dual task only impacts Ellipse in women with FMS (p>0.05). There were no significant correlations between postural control and lower limb strength (p>0.05). Therefore, women with FMS have impaired postural control that is worse when sensory inputs are altered but is not correlated with their lower limb strength.

Movement Variability Increases With Shoulder Pain When Compensatory Strategies of the Upper Body Are Constrained.

This cross-sectional study analyzed the influence of chronic shoulder pain (CSP) on movement variability/kinematics during humeral elevation, with the trunk and elbow motions constrained to avoid compensatory strategies. For this purpose, 37 volunteers with CSP as the injured group (IG) and 58 participants with asymptomatic shoulders as the control group (CG) participated in the study. Maximum humeral elevation (Emax), maximum angular velocity (Velmax), variability of the maximum angle (CVEmax), functional variability (Func_var), and approximate entropy (ApEn) were calculated from the kinematic data. Patients' pain was measured on the visual analogue scale (VAS). Compared with the CG, the IG presented lower Emax and Velmax and higher variability (i.e., CVEmax, Func_var, and ApEn). Moderate correlations were achieved for the VAS score and the kinematic variables Emax, Velmax and variability of curve analysis, Func_varm, and ApEn. No significant correlation was found for CVEmax. In conclusion, CSP results in a decrease of angle and velocity and an increased shoulder movement variability when the neuromuscular system cannot use compensatory strategies to avoid painful positions.

Dynamic thoracohumeral kinematics are dependent upon the etiology of the shoulder injury.

Obtaining kinematic patterns that depend on the shoulder injury may be important when planning rehabilitation. The main goal of this study is to explore whether the kinematic patterns of continuous and repetitive shoulder elevation motions are different according to the type of shoulder injury in question, specifically tendinopathy or rotator cuff tear, and to analyze the influence of the load handled during its assessment. For this purpose, 19 individuals with tendinopathy and 9 with rotator cuff tear performed a repetitive scaption movement that was assessed with stereophotogrammetry. Furthermore, static range of motion (ROM) and isometric strength were evaluated with a goniometer and a dynamometer, respectively. Dynamic measurements of maximum elevation (Emax), variablility of the maximum angle (VMA), maximum angular velocity (Velmax), and time to maximum velocity (tmaxvel) were found to be significantly different between the tendinopathy group (TG) and the rotator cuff tear group (RTCG). No differences were found in the ROM assessed with goniometry and the isometric strength. The effect of increasing the load placed in the hand during the scaption movement led to significant differences in Emax, VMA, tmaxvel and repeatability. Therefore, only the dynamic variables showed sufficient capability of detecting differences in functional performance associated with structural shoulder injury. The differences observed in the kinematic variables between patients with tendinopathy and rotator cuff tear seem to be related to alterations in thoracohumeral rhythm and neuromuscular control. Kinematic analysis may contribute to a better understanding of the functional impact of shoulder injuries, which would help in the assessment and treatment of shoulder pain.

The reliability of humerothoracic angles during arm elevation depends on the representation of rotations.

The reliability of joint rotation measurements is an issue of major interest, especially in clinical applications. The effect of instrumental errors and soft tissue artifacts on the variability of human motion measures is well known, but the influence of the representation of joint motion has not yet been studied. The aim of the study was to compare the within-subject reliability of three rotation formalisms for the calculation of the shoulder elevation joint angles. Five repetitions of humeral elevation in the scapular plane of 27 healthy subjects were recorded using a stereophotogrammetry system. The humerothoracic joint angles were calculated using the YX'Y" and XZ'Y" Euler angle sequences and the attitude vector. A within-subject repeatability study was performed for the three representations. ICC, SEM and CV were the indices used to estimate the error in the calculation of the angle amplitudes and the angular waveforms with each method. Excellent results were obtained in all representations for the main angle (elevation), but there were remarkable differences for axial rotation and plane of elevation. The YX'Y" sequence generally had the poorest reliability in the secondary angles. The XZ'Y' sequence proved to be the most reliable representation of axial rotation, whereas the attitude vector had the highest reliability in the plane of elevation. These results highlight the importance of selecting the method used to describe the joint motion when within-subjects reliability is an important issue of the experiment. This may be of particular importance when the secondary angles of motions are being studied.

Study of phosphorylation events for cancer diagnoses and treatment.

The activation of signaling cascades in response to extracellular and intracellular stimuli to control cell growth, proliferation and survival, is orchestrated by protein kinases via phosphorylation. A critical issue is the study of the mechanisms of cancer cells for the development of more effective drugs. With the application of the new proteomic technologies, together with the advancement in the sequencing of the human proteome, patients will therefore be benefited by the discovery of novel therapeutic and/or diagnostic protein targets. Furthermore, the advances in proteomic approaches and the Human Proteome Organization (HUPO) have opened a new door which is helpful in the identification of patients at risk and towards improving current therapies. Modification of the signaling-networks via mutations or abnormal protein expression underlies the cause or consequence of many diseases including cancer. Resulting data is used to reveal connections between genes proteins and compounds and the related molecular pathways for underlining disease states. As a delegate of HUPO, for human proteome on children assays and studies, we, at Hospital Universitario Niño Jesús, are seeking to support the human proteome in this context. Clinical goals have to be clearly established and proteomics experts have to set up the appropriate proteomic strategy, which coupled to bioinformatics will make it possible to achieve new therapies for patients with poor prognosis. We envision to combine our up-coming data to the HUPO organization in order to support international efforts to advance the cure of cancer disease.

A comparison of lumbopelvic motion patterns and erector spinae behavior between asymptomatic subjects and patients with recurrent low back pain during pain-free periods.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to determine the patterns of lumbopelvic motion and erector spinae (ES) activity during trunk flexion-extension movements and to compare these patterns between patients with recurrent low back pain (LBP) in their pain-free periods and matched asymptomatic subjects. METHODS: Thirty subjects participated (15 patients with disc herniation and recurrent LBP in their pain-free periods and 15 asymptomatic control subjects). A 3-dimensional videophotogrammetric system and surface electromyography (EMG) were used to record the angular displacements of the lumbar spine and hip in the sagittal plane and the EMG activity of the ES during standardized trunk flexion-extension cycles. Variables were maximum ranges of spine and hip flexion; percentages of maximum lumbar and hip flexion at the start and end of ES relaxation; average percentages of EMG activity during flexion, relaxation, and extension; and flexion-extension ratio of myoelectrical activity. RESULTS: Recurrent LBP patients during their pain-free period showed significantly greater ES activation both in flexion and extension, with a higher flexion-extension ratio than controls. Maximum ranges of lumbar and hip flexion showed no differences between controls and patients, although patients spent less time with their lumbar spine maximally flexed. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that reduced maximum ranges of motion and absence of ES flexion-relaxation phenomenon were not useful to identify LBP patients in the absence of acute pain. However, these patients showed subtle alterations of their lumbopelvic motion and ES activity patterns, which may have important clinical implications.

Clinical proteomics and OMICS clues useful in translational medicine research.

Since the advent of the new proteomics era more than a decade ago, large-scale studies of protein profiling have been used to identify distinctive molecular signatures in a wide array of biological systems, spanning areas of basic biological research, clinical diagnostics, and biomarker discovery directed toward therapeutic applications. Recent advances in protein separation and identification techniques have significantly improved proteomic approaches, leading to enhancement of the depth and breadth of proteome coverage.Proteomic signatures, specific for multiple diseases, including cancer and pre-invasive lesions, are emerging. This article combines, in a simple manner, relevant proteomic and OMICS clues used in the discovery and development of diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers that are applicable to all clinical fields, thus helping to improve applications of clinical proteomic strategies for translational medicine research.

Functional phosphoproteomic mass spectrometry-based approaches.

Mass Spectrometry (MS)-based phosphoproteomics tools are crucial for understanding the structure and dynamics of signaling networks. Approaches such as affinity purification followed by MS have also been used to elucidate relevant biological questions in health and disease.The study of proteomes and phosphoproteomes as linked systems, rather than research studies of individual proteins, are necessary to understand the functions of phosphorylated and un-phosphorylated proteins under spatial and temporal conditions. Phosphoproteome studies also facilitate drug target protein identification which may be clinically useful in the near future.Here, we provide an overview of general principles of signaling pathways versus phosphorylation. Likewise, we detail chemical phosphoproteomic tools, including pros and cons with examples where these methods have been applied. In addition, basic clues of electrospray ionization and collision induced dissociation fragmentation are detailed in a simple manner for successful phosphoproteomic clinical studies.

Reliability and validity of a new objective tool for low back pain functional assessment.

STUDY DESIGN: Classification and functional assessment model for nonspecific low back pain (LBP) patients and controls on the basis of kinematic analysis parameters. OBJECTIVE: Develop a logistic regression model using kinematic analysis variables to (1) discriminate between LBP patients and controls and (2) obtain objective parameters for LBP functional assessment. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Functional assessment of spinal disorders has been carried out traditionally by means of subjective scales. Objective functional techniques have been developed, which usually involve the application of external loads or the analysis of highly standardized trunk flexion-extension maneuvers. Few studies have used everyday activities such as sit-to-stand or lifting an object from the ground. They have shown that the motion patterns of LBP patients differ from those of healthy subjects. Nevertheless, very few studies have tried to correlate objective findings to the results of subjective scales, and no previous study has developed a LBP classification and functional assessment model on the basis of kinematic analysis of everyday activities. METHODS: Sixteen controls and 39 LBP patients performed a sit-to-stand task, and lifted three different weights from a standing position. The vertical forces exerted and the relative positions of the lower limb and the cervical, thoracic, lumbar, and sacroiliac regions were recorded. Reliability was determined from repetitions of the tests performed by the control group. Binary logistic regression analyses were computed. The results of the selected regression equation were correlated to the Oswestry Disability Index scale results, to check the validity of the procedure for the measurement of functional disability. RESULTS: Reliability of the parameters was good. The selected regression model used two variables, and correctly classified 97.3% of the patients. High correlations were found between the results of this regression equation and the Oswestry Disability Index scale. CONCLUSION: It is possible to distinguish LBP patients from healthy subjects by means of the biomechanical analysis of everyday tasks. This kind of analysis can produce objective and reliable indexes about the patients' degree of functional impairment.