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Published in: European Spine Journal 4/2024

Open Access 19-02-2024 | Back Pain | Original Article

Postural control and trunk stability on sway parameters in adults with and without chronic low back pain

Authors: Paul S. Sung, Dongchul Lee

Published in: European Spine Journal | Issue 4/2024

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Abstract

Background

Postural sway changes often reflect functional impairments in adults with chronic low back pain (LBP). However, there is a gap in understanding how these individuals adapt their postural strategies to maintain stability.

Purpose

This study investigated postural sway distance and velocity, utilizing the center of pressure (COP) and center of gravity (COG), between adults with and without LBP during repeated unilateral standing trials.

Methods

Twenty-six subjects with LBP and 39 control subjects participated in the study. Postural sway ranges, COP/COG sways, and sway velocities (computed by dividing path length by time in anteroposterior (AP) and mediolateral (ML) directions over 10 s) were analyzed across three unilateral standing trials.

Results

A significant group interaction in sway range difference was observed following repeated trials (F = 5.90, p = 0.02). For COG sway range, significant group interactions were demonstrated in both directions (F = 4.28, p = 0.04) and repeated trials (F = 5.79, p = 0.02). The LBP group demonstrated reduced ML sway velocities in the first (5.21 ± 2.43 for the control group, 4.16 ± 2.33 for the LBP group; t = 1.72, p = 0.04) and second (4.87 ± 2.62 for the control group, 3.79 ± 2.22 for the LBP group; t = 1.73, p = 0.04) trials.

Conclusion

The LBP group demonstrated decreased ML sway velocities to enhance trunk stability in the initial two trials. The COG results emphasized the potential use of trunk strategies in augmenting postural stability and optimizing neuromuscular control during unilateral standing.
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Metadata
Title
Postural control and trunk stability on sway parameters in adults with and without chronic low back pain
Authors
Paul S. Sung
Dongchul Lee
Publication date
19-02-2024
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
European Spine Journal / Issue 4/2024
Print ISSN: 0940-6719
Electronic ISSN: 1432-0932
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00586-024-08147-3

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