Effect of lumbar repositioning feedback training on pain and joint position sense in participants with chronic mechanical low back pain

Abstract

Objective. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of lumbar repositioning feedback training (LRFT) on pain and joint position sense (JPS) in patients with chronic mechanical low back pain (CMLBP). Materials and Methods. Twenty-four patients, from both genders, suffering from CMLBP were assigned randomly into 2 equal groups. The lumbar repositioning feedback training (LRFT) group who received lumbar repositioning feedback training and conventional proprioception exercises on Swiss ball, and control group who received conventional proprioception exercises on Swiss ball only. Pain was assessed using visual analogue scale (VAS), and joint position sense was assessed using absolute repositioning error (ARE). All patients received treatment twice per week for 6 weeks. Assessments were carried out pre and post experimentally. Results. Pre- post treatment evaluations comparisons showed improvement of pain and joint position sense post- treatment compared to pre-treatment within both groups. However, pre-treatment between groups comparisons were non-significant, with significant post- treatment improvements of pain and joint position sense in favor of LRFT compared to control group. Conclusion. Patients in LRFT group showed significant pain reduction and improvement in joint position sense in patients with CMLBP than did patients in control group. Thus, LRFT might be a suggested component of treatment programs in managing patients with CMLBP.