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The goal of this observational case-control study is to learn whether low back pain is associated with changes in gait and related clinical characteristics in adults over 18 years old. The main questions it aims to answer are:
This study is an observational case-control investigation designed to explore the relationship between low back pain and gait biomechanics in adults. Low back pain is a common health problem that may affect movement patterns, physical function, and daily activities. Understanding how gait is modified in people with low back pain may help to improve assessment and rehabilitation strategies.
Participants will be divided into two groups: adults with low back pain and adults without low back pain. Sociodemographic and clinical characteristics will be collected to describe the sample and to allow comparisons between groups. The study will focus on the analysis of spatiotemporal, kinematic, and dynamic gait parameters obtained in a motion analysis laboratory.
Gait assessment will be performed using a three-dimensional motion capture system. In addition to gait analysis, participants will provide information about their health status, pain characteristics, physical activity, and psychosocial factors through self-report questionnaires. These variables will be used to describe the clinical profile of the participants and to examine potential associations with gait outcomes.
Comparisons between the low back pain group and the control group will be conducted to identify differences in gait biomechanics and clinical characteristics.
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| Label | Type | Description | Intervention Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low Back Pain Group | Adults over 18 years with current or recent low back pain without leg pain, who undergo clinical assessment and gait analysis in a motion laboratory. | ||
| Control Group | Adults over 18 years without low back pain who undergo the same clinical assessment and gait analysis as the low back pain group. |
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| Measure | Description | Time Frame |
|---|---|---|
| Gait speed | Mean walking speed during gait measured in meters per second (m/s) using 3D motion analysis. | At baseline assessment |
| Step and stride length | Step length and stride length measured in meters (m) during gait analysis | Baseline |
| Cadence | Number of steps per minute during walking recorded with motion capture system (steps/min) | Baseline |
| Temporal gait parameters | Stance time and gait cycle time measured in seconds during gait | Baseline |
| Pelvis kinematics | Pelvic angles during gait in sagittal, frontal, and transverse planes, reported as maximum angle, minimum angle, and range of motion (ROM calculated as max-min). Measured in degrees. | Baseline |
| Hip kinematics | Hip joint angles during gait in sagittal, frontal, and transverse planes, reported as maximum angle, minimum angle, and range of motion (ROM = max-min). Measured in degrees. | Baseline |
| Knee kinematics | Knee joint angles during gait in sagittal, frontal, and transverse planes, reported as maximum angle, minimum angle, and range of motion (ROM = max-min). Measured in degrees. | Baseline |
| Measure | Description | Time Frame |
|---|---|---|
| Pain intensity - Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) | Pain intensity measured with the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) ranging from 0 to 10, where 0 = no pain and 10 = worst imaginable pain. Higher scores indicate worse pain intensity. | Baseline |
| Psychosocial risk - STarT Back Screening Tool (SBST) |
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Inclusion Criteria:
Exclusion Criteria:
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Participants will be adults from the community of León (Spain) and surrounding area, including university students, staff, and members of the general public. Individuals with and without low back pain will be recruited through public advertisements and local healthcare centers. The study population represents community-dwelling adults who are able to attend the gait analysis laboratory at the University of León.
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| Facility | Status | City | State | ZIP | Country | Contacts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of León - ULE MotionLab, Ponferrada Campus | Ponferrada | León | 24401 | Spain |
De-identified individual participant data will be shared in Microsoft Excel format upon reasonable request after publication. The dataset will include variables related to gait analysis and clinical measures, with all personal identifiers removed to protect confidentiality.
Data will be available upon reasonable request from September 2026, and will be publicly deposited in an institutional repository after publication of the main manuscript, with no defined end date.
Access will be granted to qualified researchers upon reasonable request. De-identified data in Excel format and supporting documents will be shared after approval of a research proposal and under a data use agreement to ensure confidentiality. After publication, data may also be accessible through the institutional repository of the University of León under open access conditions.
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| ID | Term |
|---|---|
| D017116 | Low Back Pain |
| D059350 | Chronic Pain |
| ID | Term |
|---|---|
| D001416 | Back Pain |
| D010146 | Pain |
| D009461 | Neurologic Manifestations |
| D012816 | Signs and Symptoms |
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| Ankle kinematics |
Ankle joint angles during gait in sagittal, frontal, and transverse planes, reported as maximum angle, minimum angle, and range of motion (ROM = max-min). Measured in degrees. |
| Baseline |
Psychosocial risk assessed with the STarT Back Screening Tool (SBST). The total score ranges from 0 to 9 and participants are classified using the standard algorithm: Low risk: total score 0-3; Medium risk: total score ≥4, with psychosocial subscale <4; High risk: psychosocial subscale score ≥4. Higher categories indicate worse prognosis and greater risk of persistent disability. |
| Baseline |
| Physical activity level - International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ-SF) | Physical activity assessed with the International Physical Activity Questionnaire - Short Form (IPAQ-SF). Participants are classified into three categories according to standard scoring criteria: Low physical activity: not meeting criteria for moderate or high levels, Moderate physical activity: at least 600 MET-minutes/week through moderate activity or walking; High physical activity: at least 1500 MET-minutes/week of vigorous activity on ≥3 days, or ≥3000 MET-minutes/week of any combination of activities. Higher categories indicate greater levels of physical activity. | Baseline |
| Hip flexor (iliopsoas) shortening - Modified Thomas Test | Iliopsoas muscle shortening assessed using the Modified Thomas Test. The result is classified as positive when the thigh remains elevated above the table, and negative when the thigh rests on the table surface. Positive result indicates presence of iliopsoas shortening. | Baseline |
| Rectus femoris shortening - Modified Thomas Test | Rectus femoris muscle shortening assessed using the Modified Thomas Test. The result is classified as positive when knee flexion is less than 80°, and negative when knee flexion is 80° or greater. Positive result indicates presence of rectus femoris shortening. | Baseline |
| D013568 |
| Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms |