Comparison of the lumbar flexion angle and repositioning error during lumbar flexion-extension in young computer workers in Korea with differing back pain

Abstract

Background: Differences in LBP symptoms are particularly important with regard to the controversy over repositioning error because there can be considerable variation in the pattern of LBP symptoms in a heterogeneous LBP group. For this reason, several researchers have suggested that a study of subdivided LBP types is needed. Indeed, some recent studies have attempted to differentiate LBP subgroups.

Objective: This study used a comparative cross-sectional design to compare the lumbar flexion angle and repositioning error between people with and without LBP during a lumbar flexion-extension task.

Methods: The subjects were divided into three groups: a control group of 13 asymptomatic subjects, 13 LBP subjects with L4-5 pain associated with lumbar flexion, and 13 LBP subjects with L4-5 pain associated with lumbar extension. The subjects performed a lumbar flexion-extension task. Joint kinematics on the lumbar flexion angle and lumbar spine repositioning error were measured using a 3-D motion capture system.

Results: The lumbar flexion angle of the LBP group with flexion pain was significantly greater than that of the asymptomatic group and the LBP group with extension pain. The difference in lumbar repositioning error was significantly greater in the LBP group with lumbar flexion pain than in the asymptomatic group.

Conclusions: This study suggests that lumbar hyper-mobility occurred and proprioception of the lumbar segment was decreased in people with LBP associated with lumbar flexion compared with people with LBP associated with lumbar extension. We also suggest that a lumbar repositioning error measurement using the lumbar flexion-extension test may be a more effective evaluation method in people with LBP associated with lumbar flexion than in those with LBP associated with lumbar extension.

Keywords: Hyper-mobility; low back pain; proprioception; repositioning error.