Differences in lumbar joint position sense between individuals with movement control impairment and healthy individuals: A pilot study
Keywords:
movement control impairment, 6-item movement control test battery, low back pain, lumbar proprioceptive senseAbstract
Background: Proprioceptive input is crucial in postural control and movement coordination. Impaired lumbar proprioceptive sense may contribute to movement control impairment (MCI) in individuals with non-specific low back pain (NSLBP). While previous studies have demonstrated proprioceptive deficits in individuals with NSLBP, the lumbar proprioceptive sense in individuals with MCI remains underexplored. This study aimed to compare lumbar repositioning errors between individuals with and without MCI.
Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 18 male participants (9 with MCI, 9 without MCI), classified using a 6-item movement control test battery (MCTB). Lumbar proprioceptive sense was assessed using inertial measurement units (IMUs) placed at L1 and S2 during an active lumbar flexion task at 30° and 45°. Absolute errors (AEs) were calculated to quantify lumbar proprioceptive sense. Mann-Whitney U tests were used for between-group comparisons.
Results: The MCI group exhibited significantly larger AEs at 30° lumbar flexion (3.72° vs. 1.83°, P=0.024) than the non-MCI group. Although AEs at 45° were higher in the MCI group (4.77° vs. 2.16°), the difference did not yield statistical significance (P=0.10).
Conclusion: Individuals with MCI demonstrated greater lumbar repositioning errors, indicating deficits in proprioceptive function. These findings highlight the importance of assessing and addressing proprioceptive impairments in rehabilitation programs for those with MCI.
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