A Novel Movement-Evoked Pain Provocation Test for Older Adults With Persistent Low Back Pain

Abstract

Objectives: Low back pain (LBP) is highly prevalent and disabling for older adults. Movement-evoked pain is an emerging measure that may help to predict disability; but is not currently a part of geriatric LBP clinical care. This study tested the safety and feasibility of a new Movement-Evoked Provocation Test for Low Back Pain in Older Adults (MEPLO). We also compared associations between movement-evoked pain via 2 different scoring methods and disability-associated outcomes. Materials and Methods: Thirty-nine older adults with persistent LBP provided baseline recalled and resting pain ratings, self-reported physical function, and usual gait speed. Participants then completed MEPLO, involving 4 tasks essential for functional independence: chair rises, trunk rotation, reaching, and walking. Movement-evoked pain was then quantified using the traditional change score (delta) method of pain premovement to postmovement; and also, a new aggregate method that combines pain ratings after the 4 tasks. Results: No safety or feasibility issues were identified. Compared with the delta score, the aggregate score was more strongly associated with self-reported physical function (beta: −0.495 vs. −0.090) and usual gait speed (beta: −0.450 vs. −0.053). Similarly, the aggregate score was more strongly associated with self-reported physical function than recalled and resting pain (beta: −0.470, −0.283, and 0.136, respectively). Discussion: This study shows the safety and feasibility of testing movement-evoked pain in older adults with persistent LBP, and its potential superiority to traditional pain measures. Future studies must validate these findings and test the extent to which MEPLO is implementable to change with geriatric LBP standard of care.