Motor Learning for the Lumbar Spine Using Sensor-based Postural Feedback: a Randomized Controlled Trial

Hasselt University80 enrolled

Overview

A large subgroup of patients with chronic non-specific low back pain have motor control impairments. During motor control exercises, different forms of external feedback can be used to support training. This randomized controlled trial will investigate the effectiveness of different forms of external feedback during the learning phase of a motor control task for the lumbar spine in healthy subjects and patients with chronic non-specific low back pain (CNSLBP). Both healthy subjects and patients with CNSLBP will be randomized into three groups: one group will receive feedback from motion sensors, one group from a mirror and one group will receive no feedback (control group). A single session intervention with measurements at baseline and immediately post-intervention will be used.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Enrollment

Conditions

Chronic Non-specific Low Back Pain

Interventions

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 YearsMax age: 65 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Chronic non-specific low back pain * Age 18-65 * Able to understand Dutch Exclusion Criteria: * Subjects that received lumbar stabilization exercises in the past year * Spinal surgery in the past * Pregnancy * Serious underlying pathologies (e.g. multiple sclerosis, tumors,…) * Signs or symptoms of nerve root involvement * Any physical condition at the moment of testing that can interfere with activities of daily living (e.g. serious knee pain) * Known skin-allergy for tape * BMI \> 30kg/m²

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Change in lumbopelvic kinematics from baseline to immediately post-intervention

Kinematics will be assessed using motion sensors that are mounted on the skin at the spinous processes of L1 and S1, and at the femur.