Comparisons of postural control, proprioception, muscle strength, pain and disability between individuals with acute, subacute and chronic low back pain.

Purpose/aim: Postural control, proprioception and lower extremity muscle strength are affected in individuals with low back pain (LBP). However, it is yet unknown whether these variables differentiate between acute, subacute and chronic stages of LBP. The aim was to investigate if there were any differences in postural control, proprioception, lower extremity muscle strength, pain intensity and disability between individuals in the different stages of LBP.

Materials and methods: In this cross-sectional study, 124 individuals with LBP were grouped as acute LBP (ALBP) (n = 38), subacute LBP (SLBP) (n = 30) and chronic LBP (CLBP) (n = 56) groups. Postural control was assessed via computerised technology. Lumbar proprioception, lower extremity muscle strength, pain intensity and disability were assessed using Joint Repositioning Error Test, hand-held dynamometer, Numeric Rating Scale and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), respectively. Kruskal-Wallis Tests, ANCOVA and post hoc Mann-Whitney U-Test with Bonferroni correction were performed.

Results: While there were no significant differences in terms of postural control, proprioception and pain intensity (p > 0.05), significant differences were found in terms of lower extremity muscle strength and ODI scores between groups when adjusted for age (p < 0.05). Individuals with CLBP demonstrated poorer lower extremity muscle strength than those with ALBP and SLBP, and higher disability than those with ALBP (p < 0.017).

Conclusions: Although postural control, proprioception and pain intensity were similar between individuals with acute, subacute and chronic LBP, muscle strength and disability seem to worsen stepwise as the pain becomes chronic. Muscle strength and disability should be taken into account while evaluating and/or managing individuals with acute and subacute stages of LBP.