Peak torque substantially varies between patients with non-specific low back pain; belong to directional preference classification, and healthy individuals-clinical biokinesiologic perspectives.
Tarek Mohamed El-Gohary, Reda S Eweda, Hatem A Emara and 3 others
PMID 32158075WHAT IT FOUND
Men with chronic non-specific low back pain had lower trunk flexion torque than healthy men, while extension torque did not differ overall; both groups showed higher extension torque at 60°/sec than 120°/sec.
Key findings
01Healthy men had higher trunk flexor peak torque than men with non-specific chronic low back pain.
02Trunk extensor peak torque was higher at 60°/sec than at 120°/sec in both patients and healthy men.
03The main group difference for trunk extensor peak torque was not significant.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTs
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What it does not show
Only men were studied, so the results may not apply to women. Participants were recruited by convenience, and only 25 patients and 25 healthy controls were tested. Patients were excluded if they had significant sagittal flexion-extension mobility limitations, so the sample may not represent more restricted patients. Only patients with flexion and active extension directional patterns were included, not all low back pain motor-control subgroups. All patients were pooled, so the study did not compare different directional preference subgroups against each other. Chronic pain duration varied widely, from more than 3 months to several years. Body mass index varied widely, from 16 to 47. The study measured torque only; it did not follow patients or test treatment outcomes.
Declared interests
The authors reported no conflict of interest. The supplied text does not state a funding source.
The easy way to misread this
Do not conclude that patients with chronic non-specific low back pain have weaker trunk extensors overall. The overall extension group difference was not significant; the significant group difference was for flexion, and the study measured torque only, not pain, function, or treatment response.