Immediate Effect of Hamstring Stretching in Patients With Chronic Low Back Pain

Immediate Effect of Hamstring Stretching in Patients With Chronic Low Back Pain

Thigh muscles flexibility deficits contribute to handicap in chronic low back pain patients. The study aims to evaluate the immediate effect of thigh muscles stretching in patients with chronic low back pain. The investigation team suppose that flexibility improvement could be detected by instrumented clinical measurements and such difference could be related to psycho-social factors evaluated by questionnaires.

The primary objective of the study is to evaluate the immediate effect of the hamstring muscle stretching in patients presenting chronic low back pain. The secondary objectives are: (1) to evaluate intra- and interrater reliability, construct validity and responsiveness of the hamstring flexibility measurements (Active Knee Extension [AKE], Straight Leg Rise [SLR]) realised with digital inclinometer, (2) to evaluate factors that potentially could influence immediate effect of the hamstring stretching, specifically psycho-social factors Fear Avoidance Belief Questionnaire (FABQ), Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale (HAD), neuropathic pain presence (DN4).

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age between 18 and 60 years
• Chronic low back pain (>3 months) with or without pain irradiation to lower limb
• Hamstring flexibility deficit (AKE <80° and FTF>5cm)

Exclusion Criteria:

• Pregnancy or breastfeeding,
• Condition of restricted mental/legal autonomy (ex. guardianship) ,
• No social security insurance,