Do Improved Trunk Mobility and Isometric Strength Correlate with Improved Pain and Disability after Multimodal Rehabilitation for Low Back Pain?

Objective To determine the correlation between posttreatment trunk range of motion (ROM) and isometric strength (TIS) and pain and disability in patients who underwent multimodal rehabilitation for low back pain (LBP). Methods In this prospective cohort study, 122 patients undergoing multimodal rehabilitation for LBP were analyzed. The pre- and posttreatment numerical pain rating scale (NPRS) and the Oswestry disability index (ODI) scores, as well as trunk ROM and TIS were compared. The Pearson correlation was used to determine correlation between posttreatment clinical outcomes and ROM and TIS. Results At the end of treatment, the mean NPRS ( p < 0.0001) and ODI ( p < 0.0001) scores, mean trunk extension ( p < 0.0001), and flexion ( p < 0.0001) ROMs improved significantly. Similarly, posttreatment, the mean extension ( p < 0.0001) and flexion ( p < 0.0001) TISs improved significantly. There was a weak correlation between the NPRS score and ROM extension (r = -0.24, p = 0.006) and flexion strength (r = -0.28, p = 0.001), as well as between the ODI score and TIS extension (r = -0.30, p = 0.0007) and flexion (r = -0.28, p = 0.001). Conclusion Despite significant improvement in pain, disability, trunk ROM, and TIS with multimodal treatment, there was a weak correlation between posttreatment pain and function and trunk ROM and TIS. Improvement in pain and function with physical rehabilitation treatment for LBP is a complex phenomenon and needs further investigation.

Do Improved Trunk Mobility and Isometric Strength Correlate with Improved Pain and Disability after Multimodal Rehabilitation for Low Back Pain? / A melhora da mobilidade e da força isométrica do tronco se correlacionam com a melhora da dor e da incapacidade após a reabilitação multimodal para dor lombar?

Abstract Objective To determine the correlation between posttreatment trunk range of motion (ROM) and isometric strength (TIS) and pain and disability in patients who underwent multimodal rehabilitation for low back pain (LBP). Methods In this prospective cohort study, 122 patients undergoing multimodal rehabilitation for LBP were analyzed. The pre- and posttreatment numerical pain rating scale (NPRS) and the Oswestry disability index (ODI) scores, as well as trunk ROM and TIS were compared. The Pearson correlation was used to determine correlation between posttreatment clinical outcomes and ROM and TIS. Results At the end of treatment, the mean NPRS (p< 0.0001) and ODI (p< 0.0001) scores, mean trunk extension (p< 0.0001), and flexion (p< 0.0001) ROMs improved significantly. Similarly, posttreatment, the mean extension (p< 0.0001) and flexion (p< 0.0001) TISs improved significantly. There was a weak correlation between the NPRS score and ROM extension (r = -0.24, p= 0.006) and flexion strength (r = -0.28, p= 0.001), as well as between the ODI score and TIS extension (r = -0.30, p= 0.0007) and flexion (r = -0.28, p= 0.001). Conclusion Despite significant improvement in pain, disability, trunk ROM, and TIS with multimodal treatment, there was a weak correlation between posttreatment pain and function and trunk ROM and TIS. Improvement in pain and function with physical rehabilitation treatment for LBP is a complex phenomenon and needs further investigation.

Resumo Objetivo Determinar a correlação entre a amplitude de movimento (ADM) do tronco pós-tratamento e a força isométrica do tronco (FIT) e a dor e a incapacidade em pacientes submetidos à reabilitação multimodal para dor lombar (DL). Métodos Neste estudo de coorte prospectiva, 122 pacientes submetidos à reabilitação multimodal para DL foram analisados. Foram comparados os escores de escala numérica de dor pré- e pós-tratamento (END) e do índice de incapacidade Oswestry (Oswestry disability index - ODI), a ADM do tronco e a FIT. A correlação de Pearson foi utilizada para determinar a correlação entre desfechos clínicos e a ADM e a FIT pós-tratamento. Resultados Ao final do tratamento, as médias de ADM (p< 0,0001) e ODI (p< 0,0001), as ADMs médias de extensão (p< 0,0001) e a flexão (p< 0,0001) do tronco melhoraram significativamente. Da mesma forma, a FIT pós-tratamento, as FITs médias de extensão (p< 0,0001) e flexão (p< 0,0001) melhoraram significativamente. Houve uma correlação fraca entre o escore do END e a ADM de extensão (r = -0,24, p= 0,006) e força de flexão (r = -0,28, p= 0,001) pós-tratamento, assim como entre o escore de ODI e FIT de extensão (r = -0,30, p= 0,0007) e flexão (r = -0,28, p= 0,001) pós-tratamento. Conclusão Apesar da melhora significativa da dor, capacidade, ADM do tronco e FIT com tratamento multimodal, houve uma fraca correlação entre dor pós-tratamento e função e ADM e FIT de tronco. A melhora da dor e da função com o tratamento de reabilitação física para DL é um fenômeno complexo e precisa de uma investigação mais aprofundada.

Changes in standing and walking time after multimodal physical rehabilitation in low grade degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis: a non-randomised pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Surgery is often prescribed to patients with significant reduction in standing time (ST) and walking time (WT) due to degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis (DLS). The efficacy of a multimodal physical rehabilitation protocol (MPRP) in improving ST and WT in patients with DLS is not known. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of MPRP on ST and WT in patients with DLS and compare the results with similar patients treated with other physiotherapy treatment (OPT) methods. METHODS: Outcomes including numerical pain rating scale (NPRS) and Oswestry disability index (ODI) scores, ST and WT were compared in patients in the MPRP and OPT groups. RESULTS: Data from 25 patients in MPRP group and 10 patients in OPT group were analyzed. In the MPRP group, the mean NPRS and ODI scores, ST, and WT improved significantly (p < .0001) after MPRP at a mean follow-up of 328 days. The mean NPRS score was significantly lower (p = .0001); mean ST (p = .03), and mean WT (p = .03) were significantly higher; and the mean NPRS improvement (p < .0001), mean ST improvement (p = .001), and mean WT improvement (p = .008) were significantly higher in MPRP group when compared to the OPT group at final follow-up. CONCLUSION: Patients with low-grade DLS showed significant improvement in ST and WT after MPRP when compared to similar patients who underwent other physiotherapy treatments. These encouraging results indicate that MPRP can be utilized as a primary treatment option in patients with significantly reduced ST and WT due to DLS.

Gender-based Variations in Trunk Motion and Isometric Strength in Young Adults with Low Back Pain: A Prospective Case-control Study.

Objective To determine gender-based variations in trunk range of motion (RoM) and isometric strength (IS) in symptomatic and asymptomatic young adults. Methods In this prospective case-control study, 73 subjects with low back pain (LBP) and 80 asymptomatic subjects were analyzed. Dynamometer-based device trunk RoM and IS measurements in extension, flexion, and rotation were compared in both groups and gender-based subgroups. Multivariate analysis was used to determine factors influencing trunk RoM and IS. Results Symptomatic males had significantly less extension RoM and extension, flexion, and rotation isometric trunk strength (ITS) ( p < 0.0001) compared with asymptomatic males, whereas no significant difference was found between asymptomatic and symptomatic females. However, the mean extension-flexion RoM and mean extension-flexion ITS ratios were significantly lower ( p = 0.04) in asymptomatic females compared with symptomatic females. Female gender was significantly associated with less extension and flexion ITS in both asymptomatic and symptomatic subjects. Conclusion Males with LBP had significant global ITS weakness when compared with asymptomatic males. Despite no significant ITS difference in symptomatic versus asymptomatic females, LBP caused significant extension-flexion RoM and ITS imbalance in females. These gender-based variations in trunk RoM and IS, especially the extensor-flexor IS imbalance in females, must be considered while designing rehabilitation treatment protocols for LBP.

Gender-based Variations in Trunk Motion and Isometric Strength in Young Adults with Low Back Pain: A Prospective Case-control Study / Variações baseadas em gênero no movimento e na força isométrica do tronco em jovens adultos com dor lombar: Um estudo de caso-controle prospectivo

Abstract Objective To determine gender-based variations in trunk range of motion (RoM) and isometric strength (IS) in symptomatic and asymptomatic young adults. Methods In this prospective case-control study, 73 subjects with low back pain (LBP) and 80 asymptomatic subjects were analyzed. Dynamometer-based device trunk RoM and IS measurements in extension, flexion, and rotation were compared in both groups and gender-based subgroups. Multivariate analysis was used to determine factors influencing trunk RoM and IS. Results Symptomatic males had significantly less extension RoM and extension, flexion, and rotation isometric trunk strength (ITS) (p < 0.0001) compared with asymptomatic males, whereas no significant difference was found between asymptomatic and symptomatic females. However, the mean extension-flexion RoM and mean extension-flexion ITS ratios were significantly lower (p = 0.04) in asymptomatic females compared with symptomatic females. Female gender was significantly associated with less extension and flexion ITS in both asymptomatic and symptomatic subjects. Conclusion Males with LBP had significant global ITS weakness when compared with asymptomatic males. Despite no significant ITS difference in symptomatic versus asymptomatic females, LBP caused significant extension-flexion RoM and ITS imbalance in females. These gender-based variations in trunk RoM and IS, especially the extensor-flexor IS imbalance in females, must be considered while designing rehabilitation treatment protocols for LBP.

Resumo Objetivo Determinar as variações na amplitude de movimento (ADM) do tronco e na força isométrica do tronco (FIT) em jovens adultos sintomáticos e assintomáticos baseadas no gênero dos indivíduos. Métodos Neste estudo caso-controle prospectivo, 73 indivíduos com dor lombar (DL) e 80 indivíduos assintomáticos foram analisados. As medidas de ADM do tronco e FIT de extensão, flexão e rotação foram comparadas em ambos os grupos e em subgrupos organizados por gênero. A análise multivariada foi usada para determinar os fatores que influenciam a ADM do tronco e a FIT. Results Symptomatic males had significantly less extension RoM and extension, flexion, and rotation isometric trunk strength (ITS) (p < 0.0001) compared with asymptomatic males, whereas no significant difference was found between asymptomatic and symptomatic females. However, the mean extension-flexion RoM and mean extension-flexion ITS ratios were significantly lower (p = 0.04) in asymptomatic females compared with symptomatic females. Female gender was significantly associated with less extension and flexion ITS in both asymptomatic and symptomatic subjects. Conclusão Indivíduos do sexo masculino com DL apresentaram significativa fraqueza global relacionada à FIT quando comparados com indivíduos do sexo masculino assintomáticos. Apesar de não haver diferença significativa de FIT em indivíduos do sexo feminino sintomáticos versus assintomáticos, a DL impactou a ADM e a FIT de extensão-flexão em indivíduos do sexo feminino. Essas variações de ADM do tronco e FIT baseadas no sexo, especialmente o desequilíbrio extensor-flexor de força isométrica em indivíduos do sexo feminino, devem ser consideradas ao projetar-se protocolos de tratamento de reabilitação para lombalgia.

Efficacy of an integrated, active rehabilitation protocol in patients ≥ 65 years of age with chronic mechanical low back pain.

PURPOSE: This retrospective study aimed to determine the efficacy of an integrated active, rehabilitation protocol in patients ≥ 65 years of age with chronic mechanical low back pain and compare the results in similar patients in 50-64 years age group. METHODS: Pre- and post-treatment mean numerical pain rating scale (NPRS) score, mean Oswestry disability index (ODI) score, treatment outcome category and minimal clinically important difference (MCID) thresholds achieved for NPRS and ODI scores post-treatment were compared among 697 patients in the 50-64 years and 495 patients in the ≥ 65 years age groups. RESULTS: At a mean treatment duration of 57 days (range, 30-90 days), both mean NPRS score (p < 0.0001) and mean ODI score (p < 0.0001) were significantly higher in the ≥ 65 years age group when compared to the 50-64 years age group. However, post-treatment outcome categories (p = 0.17) and percentage of patients who achieved MCID thresholds for NPRS score (p = 0.13) and ODI score (p = 0.18) were not significantly different between the two groups. There was a significant correlation between post-treatment NPRS score and patient age and pre-treatment NPRS score and between post-treatment ODI score and incidence of osteoporosis and pre-treatment ODI score. CONCLUSION: Although mean NPRS and ODI scores achieved were significantly better in patients of 50-64 years of age, our integrated active, rehabilitation protocol helped achieve significant improvement in NPRS score, MCID thresholds for NPRS and ODI scores and treatment outcomes in patients ≥ 65 years of age, similar to patients in the 50-64 years of age group, at the end of 3 months of treatment. These slides can be retrieved under Electronic Supplementary Material.