An observational study comparing core stability and proprioceptive performance within healthy individuals and individuals suffering from chronic non-specific low back pain.

Item

Title
An observational study comparing core stability and proprioceptive performance within healthy individuals and individuals suffering from chronic non-specific low back pain.
Author(s)
Aakre, S
Abstract
Introduction: Low back pain (LBP) is an increasing problem in the western world and is one of the most common conditions an individual will experience. Several studies have found links between LBP and altered lumbar muscle control and several exercise regimes such as Pilates and Yoga has become increasingly popular as they promote that their exercises can improve and prevent reoccurrence of LBP. Having read conflicting researches on the subject, it became interesting to this research to understand the concepts of core stability and proprioception. Aim: This research attempts to demonstrate a link between core stability and proprioception in subjects with or without LBP. It was decided to look at correlations between proprioception and core stability in a general sample. Methodology: A sample of 60 ESQ students (30 with LBP and 22 healthy controls) were asked to fill in a safety selection questionnaire and 52 subjects were found. They were asked to complete five repetitions of a single leg lowering exercise using a pressure cuff as a measurement tool of core stability. They were also asked to stand on a Nintendo Wii Balance Board (WBB) where Pondera Software was used to retrieve proprioceptive data. Results: After having demonstrated that both groups were equivalent in term of gender, BMI, age and background exercise the researcher looked for statistical difference between the LBP group and control group regarding core stability and proprioception. Then the author looked at correlations over the whole sample and within each group regarding core stability, proprioception and exercises. The current study showed no correlation between core stability and proprioception but interesting results were found regarding core exercise and general exercise which was found to improve core stability in the control group, but not in the LBP group (p= 0,005 correlation coefficient= 0,464 and p= O,038 correlation coefficient= 0,389). Increased intensity of previous episodes of LBP and increased frequency of LBP correlates with decreased sway area (p= 0,002 correlation coefficient= -0,513 and p=0,002 correlation coefficient= -0,532 respectively), which is contradictory to findings in other research. Finally, age correlates with balance age and fall risk (eyes open and closed) with the respective values: p= 0,001 correlation coefficient=coefficient= 0,437; p= 0,006 correlation coefficient= 0,448. This suggests that proprioception declines with age. Conclusion: The current observational study shows no statistical differences in core stability and proprioceptive performance between subjects suffering from LBP and healthy controls. The researcher found interesting differences in correlations between LBP group and healthy controls. In the healthy group, core exercise and general exercise seemed to have a positive impact on mean core stability and age is related to the fall risk and relative balance-age both eyes open and closed. However, these correlations disappear in the LBP group. Only the fall risk relative to the age remains. This could indicate that once you suffer from LBP, core stability will no longer improve with core exercises or a general exercise program. Individual assessments need to take place so the individual inactive muscles can be identified. Further research should be done on muscle imbalances impact on LBP, and finding an affordable way to measure proprioception and imbalances in a clinical setting.
presented at
European School of Osteopathy
Date Accepted
2015
Date Submitted
2.12.2016 16:54:53
Type
osteo_thesis
Language
English
Submitted by:
62
Pub-Identifier
15874
Inst-Identifier
1229
Keywords
Core stability; Exercise; Low Back Pain; Proprioception.
Recommended
0
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Thesis

Aakre, S, “An observational study comparing core stability and proprioceptive performance within healthy individuals and individuals suffering from chronic non-specific low back pain.”, Osteopathic Research Web, accessed May 19, 2024, https://www.osteopathic-research.com/s/orw/item/607