Ageing and higher BMI explain movement control impairment distinctly better than chronic pain and its contributing factors: A cross-sectional study of 161 subjects with chronic low back pain and 42 pain-free controls.

Abstract

Background: Assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of motor control impairments are among the most widely implemented management strategies for chronic low back pain (CLBP). Low back movement control tests described by Luomajoki et al. are reliable and valid for assessing the presence and severity of motor control impairment. However, very little is known about the importance of demographic and well-established CLBP contributing factors in explaining the presence and severity of any type of motor control impairment.

Objective: The study objectives were to evaluate the associations of the presence and the severity of movement control impairment with age, gender, BMI, CLBP and its intensity and duration, postural stability, self-reported central sensitization, kinesiophobia, and CLBP-related disability with logistic and ordinal regressions and Wald chi-squared tests.

Methods: This cross-sectional study included 161 subjects with CLBP and 42 pain-free controls. The study was carried out in single private chiropractic clinic.

Results: Higher age and BMI were distinctly greater associated with a higher presence and severity of movement control impairment compared to the pain-related factors, namely the CLBP or its intensity or duration, central sensitization, kinesiophobia, and CLBP-related disability.

Conclusions: Results highlight the importance of considering demographic factors, such as age and BMI, when interpreting motor control impairment findings. Accordingly, the findings challenge the validity of testing motor control impairment in the management of CLBP.