Relationship between lumbar spine motor control ability and perceptual awareness during prone hip extension movement in people with low back pain

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to clarify the differences in lumbar spine and hip joint motor control ability (MCA) in prone hip extension (PHE) between individuals with and without low back pain (LBP). It also aimed to determine the relationship between lumbar spine and hip joint MCA and lumbar perceptual awareness in individuals with LBP. Methods: In total, 78 university students (20 with LBP and 58 without) were included in the study. The MCA of the lumbar spine and hip joint in PHE and perceptual awareness were evaluated. The MCA of the lumbar spine and hip joint was measured using a wearable sensor. Subsequently, a comparison of the MCA of the lumbar spine and hip joints of the participants and the relationship between MCA and lumbar perceptual awareness were examined. Results: The MCA of the LBP group was higher than that of the non-LBP group in motion on the sagittal plane. In addition, perceptual awareness was negatively correlated with MCA in the sagittal plane in the lumbar spine. Conclusion: People with LBP had higher lumbar spine and hip joint MCA than those without LBP. Perceptual awareness was associated with lumbar spine and hip joint MCA in people with LBP.