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Postural balance in low back pain patients: criterion-related validity of centre of pressure assessed on a portable force platform

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Abstract

Introduction

Altered postural control has been observed in low back pain (LBP) patients. They seem to be more dependent on vision when standing. The objective of the study was to determine concurrent and predictive validity of measures of postural stability in LBP patients.

Materials and methods

Centre of Pressure (CoP) measurements were tested against pain, fear of pain, and physical function. Velocity, anterior–posterior displacement, and the Romberg Ratio obtained on a portable force platform were used as measures of postural stability.

Results

Baseline and 12-week follow-up results of 97 LBP patients were evaluated. The correlations between CoP measurements and pain, fear of pain, and physical function were poor. There were no significant differences in CoP measurements between patients with no change or deterioration and patients with improvement in pain and back-specific function.

Conclusion

This first study of concurrent and predictive validity of postural balance in LBP patients revealed no association between CoP measures and pain, fear of pain, and physical function.

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Acknowledgments

This study was supported by grants from Aarhus University Hospital, The Association of Danish Physiotherapists’ Research Fund, The Lundbeck Foundation, and The Central Denmark Region’s Research Foundation of Medical Science.

Conflict of interest

None of the authors has any potential conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy, Aarhus University Hospital, 8000, Arhus C, Denmark

    Thomas Maribo

  2. Department of Rheumatology, Aarhus University Hospital, Arhus C, Denmark

    Thomas Maribo & Kristian Stengaard-Pedersen

  3. Aarhus Rheumatology Clinic, Arhus C, Denmark

    Berit Schiøttz-Christensen

  4. Danish Ramazzini Center, Department of Occupational Medicine, Aarhus University Hospital, Arhus C, Denmark

    Lone Donbæk Jensen

  5. Department of Biostatistics, Institute of Public Health, Aarhus University, Arhus C, Denmark

    Niels Trolle Andersen

Authors
  1. Thomas Maribo
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  2. Berit Schiøttz-Christensen
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  3. Lone Donbæk Jensen
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  4. Niels Trolle Andersen
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  5. Kristian Stengaard-Pedersen
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Correspondence to Thomas Maribo.

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Maribo, T., Schiøttz-Christensen, B., Jensen, L.D. et al. Postural balance in low back pain patients: criterion-related validity of centre of pressure assessed on a portable force platform. Eur Spine J 21, 425–431 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00586-011-1981-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00586-011-1981-5

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