Group differences and associations between patient-reported outcomes and physical characteristics in chronic low back pain patients and healthy controls.

BACKGROUND

Patients with chronic low back pain can exhibit altered slower gait, poor balance, and lower strength/power, and psychological dysfunctions such as pain catastrophizing and fear of movement. Few studies have investigated the relationships between physical and psychological dysfunctions. This study examined associations between patient-reported outcomes (pain interference, physical function, central sensitization, and kinesiophobia) and physical characteristics (gait, balance, and trunk sensorimotor characteristics).

METHODS

Laboratory testing included a 4-m walk, balance, and trunk sensorimotor testing with 18 patients and 15 controls. Gait and balance were collected with inertial measurement units. Isokinetic dynamometry measured trunk sensorimotor characteristics. Patient-reported outcomes included PROMIS Pain Interference / Physical Function, Central Sensitization Inventory, and Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia. Independent t-tests or Mann-Whitney U tests were used to compare between groups. Additionally, Spearman's rank correlation coefficient (rs) established associations between physical and psychological domains, and Fisher z-tests compared correlation coefficient values between groups (significance P < 0.05).

FINDINGS: The patient group had worse tandem balance and all patient-reported outcomes (P < 0.05) while no group differences were observed in gait and trunk sensorimotor characteristics. There were significant correlations between worse central sensitization and poor tandem balance (rs = 0.446-0.619, P < 0.05) and lower peak force and rate of force development (rs = -0.429-0.702, P < 0.05).

INTERPRETATION: Observed group differences in tandem balance agree with previous studies, indicating impaired proprioception. The current findings provide preliminary evidence that balance and trunk sensorimotor characteristics were significantly associated with patient-reported outcomes in patients. Early and period screening could help clinicians further categorize patients and develop objective treatment plans.