Is there a relationship between low back pain and lumbar multifidus cross-sectional area? An observational group study using musculoskeletal ultrasound imaging.
Item
- Title
- Is there a relationship between low back pain and lumbar multifidus cross-sectional area? An observational group study using musculoskeletal ultrasound imaging.
- Author(s)
- Reece, C
- Abstract
- Background: Most people will experience low back pain at some point, with it being recognised as the leading global cause of disability. The lumbar spine is stabilised by the multifidus muscle, shown to be atrophied in some low back pain patients. Referral to specialists, to provide imaging, is used to aid the diagnosis of pathologies but is seldom used in primary healthcare settings. Musculoskeletal ultrasound can offer a fast, safe, reasonably affordable and effective method of producing accurate diagnostic information regarding the condition of multifidus. Objective: To determine if a statistically significant relationship exists between the cross-sectional area of lumbar multifidus muscle and low back pain. Design: An observational cross-sectional correlational study Method: Participants who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria were recruited from the European School of Osteopathy student body. Ultrasound images were taken of the multifidus muscle cross sectional area and data including the Bournemouth Back Pain Questionnaire (BBQ), height, weight, age and gender was collected. Data was analysed using Shapiro Wilkes, Spearman’s rank correlation and multiple regression tests. The data was tested for inter-rater reliability using interclass correlation coefficient and Cronbach’s alpha. Results: Nineteen participants were recruited. Spearman’s correlation indicated the data was not statistically significant (left r= 0.22 p=0.3601, right r= 0.28 p= 0.2511, BBQ Mean 14.90). Multiple regression found no relationship between participant demographic and back pain (r = 0.059, left p=0.90, right p= 0.84, BMI= 0.43, age p=0.50, P=<0.05). Inter-rater reliability was excellent (ICC 1.00, Cronbach’s 0.993 and 1.000). Discussion: The results find no relationship between lumbar multifidus cross-sectional area and low back pain. Limitations include participant diversity and imaging not specific to the side or location of pain. Back pain is multifactorial and this study may be too narrow for clinical diagnosis. The results did provide information about the reliability and ease of use of this imaging technique in the clinical setting. Conclusion: This study shows that ultrasound has a valid use in clinic and education but in order to be useful in back pain diagnosis additional data needs to be collected.
- presented at
- European School of Osteopathy
- Date Accepted
- 2018
- Date Submitted
- 25.1.2019 17:18:25
- Type
- osteo_thesis
- Language
- English
- Submitted by:
- 62
- Pub-Identifier
- 16408
- Inst-Identifier
- 1229
- Keywords
- lumbar multifidus
- Recommended
- 0
- Item sets
- Thesis
Reece, C, “Is there a relationship between low back pain and lumbar multifidus cross-sectional area? An observational group study using musculoskeletal ultrasound imaging.”, Osteopathic Research Web, accessed May 3, 2025, https://www.osteopathic-research.com/s/orw/item/356