Integrating patient-reported and performance-based measurements for addressing nonspecific low back pain in young office workers

Abstract

Background: Non-specific low back pain (LBP) is a major health concern associated with a sedentary lifestyle. Understanding the multifactorial risk factors is essential for developing effective management and prevention strategies. Purpose: This study aims to evaluate how posture, muscle activity and strength imbalances, pain levels, and emotional awareness collectively contribute to the subjective functional status of young office workers with chronic nonspecific LBP, in order to assess the need for a holistic, biopsychosocial approach to managing this condition. Methods: A cross-sectional study, involving 102 office workers, including 64 females and 38 males, both healthy and suffering from chronic nonspecific LBP, was conducted. The average age of subjects was 31 years (standard deviation = 6.6). The study combined objective assessments, such as posture evaluation, muscle electrical activity, and strength imbalances with patient-reported outcomes (PRO) to investigate their correlations with subjective functional status. Results: Significant correlations and subsequent inclusion in the multivariate linear regression model identified vertebral rotation, muscle activity and strength disparities as key predictors. PRO, including pain levels and emotional awareness also significantly influenced the Spine Functional Index. Collectively, these factors explained 46.8% of the variance in the subjective functional status among subjects. Conclusion: This study underscores the importance of a holistic approach in understanding nonspecific LBP, integrating objective measures with PRO to reveal the intricate relationship between functional status and diverse influencing factors. Our findings advocate for the adoption of the biopsychosocial model, demonstrating how the interplay of health conditions, body structures, and social factors impacts chronic nonspecific LBP.