The relationships between measures of stature recovery, muscle activity and psychological factors in patients with chronic low back pain.

Lewis, Sandra, Holmes, Paul, Woby, Steve, Hindle, Jackie, Fowler, Neil
Manual Therapy, 01 February 2012, vol./is. 17/1(27-33).
Individuals with low back pain (LBP) often exhibit elevated paraspinal muscle activity compared to asymptomatic controls during static postures such as standing. This hyperactivity has been associated with a delayed rate of stature recovery in individuals with mild LBP. This study aimed to explore this association further in a more clinically relevant population of NHS patients with LBP and to investigate if relationships exist with a number of psychological factors. Forty seven patients were recruited from waiting lists for physiotherapist-led rehabilitation programmes. Paraspinal muscle activity while standing was assessed via surface electromyogram (EMG) and stature recovery over a 40-min unloading period was measured on a precision stadiometer. Self-report of pain, disability, anxiety, depression, pain-related anxiety, fear of movement, self-efficacy and catastrophising were recorded.
(Athens username required for full text access).
This bulletin is brought to you by Library and Knowledge Services. It aims to keep you up-to-date with therapeutic issues. At the beginning of each month, a librarian will update the bulletin with relevant information published in the preceding month. If there are areas you think we also need to cover, please let us know.