Is it possible to differentiate people with or without low-back pain on the basis of test of lumbopelvic dysfunction?

OBJECTIVE

To determine the prevalence of positive chiropractic test results in relation to low back pain status and to determine the sensitivity, specificity, and predictive (positive and negative) values of these tests.

DESIGN

Study subjects were examined by a chiropractor who was unaware of their low back pain status. Information on low back pain was then collected in a self-report questionnaire.

SETTING

Research laboratory at the Odense University Hospital (Denmark).

SUBJECTS: A subset of 166 healthy twins taken from a panel of population-generated twins born between 1953-1982. EXAMINER: Chiropractor with approximately 10 years of clinical experience.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The prevalence of a number of lumbopelvic dysfunctional tests (4 observational, 6 pain-on-movement, and 2 pain provocation tests), and a diagnostic conclusion based on these test results were studied in relation to low back pain status.

RESULTS

There was no single test that was clinically acceptable in relation to all 5 aspects of the study. At least one pain-on-movement test was the only variable that had a totally acceptable pattern.

CONCLUSION

Although no individual test was accurate, the diagnostic discrimination on the basis of these tests was satisfactory.