Relationship between functional evaluation measures and self-assessment in nonacute low back pain

The correlations between objective biomechanical indicators of function and self-assessment scores were examined retrospectively for 91 subjects with nonacute low back pain.

To examine the correlation between self-assessment, trunk range of motion (ROM), velocity, and complex mechanical coordination patterns of the spine in nonacute low back pain.

In low back pain, there is often little concordance between pain, physical impairment, and disability. Use of range of motion and velocity to enhance objectivity in impairment evaluations has been ineffectual. In this study, two hypotheses were examined: range of motion and velocity are controllable and inherently correlated with self-assessment; complex spinal coordination patterns such as range of lordosis cannot be controlled and are independent of self-assessment.

Self-assessment questionnaires were administered, and indexes of spinal motion and coordination were measured through skin marker kinematics. The correlation between self-assessments and biomechanical measures was determined.

Self-assessments of function were significantly correlated with parameters prone to regulation: range of motion, velocity, and load lifted. In contrast, little correlation was found with measures of complex spinal coordination less susceptible to conscious or affective regulation, namely, range of lordosis and estimated segmental mobility. This effect was magnified with increased load. Self-assessment scores were significantly poorer among insurance referrals, regardless of functional status.

Simple parameters of the functional examination, such as range of motion and velocity, are strongly correlated with cognitive state, and thus the information they supply is less than ideal. Complex spinal coordination is a better indicator of the degree of spinal dysfunction and enhances the process of differentiating between pain, disability, and functional impairment.