Posturography Comparison and Discriminant Analysis Between Individuals With and Without Chronic Low Back Pain

The aims of this study were to evaluate the center of pressure (CoP) in individuals with chronic low back pain (LBP) compared with matched controls and perform discriminant analysis to detect which CoP variables differentiate the groups.

Thirty-two participants with LBP and 33 matched controls were evaluated on a force plate in a bipedal static position for 30 seconds in 2 conditions: eyes open (EO) and eyes closed (EC). Two discriminant analyzes were performed to detect which CoP variables could discriminate between groups.

Those with LBP had higher values (ie, poorer balance) for most variables compared with the control group. With EO, total displacement of sway (TDS) was as follows: LBP group (median [25%-75%]) 31.77 (26.39-41.79) cm, control group 27.21 (22.29-31.78) cm, P = .008 and area: LBP group 3.31 (2.33-4.68) cm², control group 1.77 (1.3-2.71) cm². With EC, TDS was as follows: LBP group 49.6 (39.65-68.15) cm, control group 38.77 (30.36; 45.65) cm, P = .003 and area: LBP group 4.68 (2.6-7.28) cm², control group 2.4 (2.1-3.34) cm². The discriminating variables in the EO condition were the TDS for the LBP group and the anteroposterior mean velocity for the control group, while in the EC condition they were mediolateral dispersion and area for the LBP group.

Individuals with chronic LBP had worse postural control performance than matched controls, and it is possible to characterize those with and without LBP with CoP variables.