Multiplanar Lumbopelvic Control in Patients With Low Back Pain

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether combined assessment of lumbopelvic control during sagittal and frontal plane motion (using two common clinical observational assessments) discriminates between people with and without LBP than single plane assessment alone. It was hypothesized that the two tests used in combination (multiplanar) would perform better than each test used independently (single planar) in accurately discriminating patient cases from healthy controls.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients with LBP

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age 18-70 years old
• Ability to understand and follow written and verbal instruction in English
• Seeking treatment from a physical therapist for LBP (pain below T12-L1 vertebral segment), prior to initial evaluation (no treatment provided)

Matched Controls: Control subjects will be matched for age, gender, and BMI category to patients with LBP.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Ability to understand and follow written and verbal instruction in English

• No history of LBP during the past 5 years requiring:

  • > 3 day absence from work/school/recreation
  • Clinical Care (MD, DC, DPT, MT) for LBP

Exclusion Criteria:

Patients with LBP

• Pregnancy within past 12 months
• Previous spine or hip surgery
• Serious spinal or systemic pathology
• Inability to transfer from standing to supine to sidelying to prone
• Inability to stand > 20 minutes

Matched Controls

Exclusion Criteria:

• Pregnancy within the past 12 months
• Previous spine or hip surgery
• Inability to transfer from standing to supine to side-lying to prone
• Inability to stand > 20 minutes