Ann Rehabil Med.  2018 Apr;42(2):239-249. 10.5535/arm.2018.42.2.239.

Gender-Related Differences in Reliability of Thorax, Lumbar, and Pelvis Kinematics During Gait in Patients With Non-specific Chronic Low Back Pain

• Bagheri R
• Ebrahimi Takamjani I
• Dadgoo M
• Ahmadi A
• Sarrafzadeh J
• Pourahmadi MR
• Jafarpisheh AS

• KMID: 2432194
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5535/arm.2018.42.2.239

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
To evaluate test-retest reliability of trunk kinematics relative to the pelvis during gait in two groups (males and females) of patients with non-specific chronic low back pain (NCLBP) using three-dimensional motion capture system.
METHODS
A convenience sample of 40 NCLBP participants (20 males and 20 females) was evaluated in two sessions. Participants were asked to walk with self-selected speed and kinematics of thorax and lumbar spine were captured using a 6-infrared-cameras motion-analyzer system. Peak amplitude of displacement and its measurement errors and minimal detectable change (MDC) were then calculated.
RESULTS
Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) were relatively constant but small for certain variables (lower lumbar peak flexion in female: inter-session ICC=0.51 and intra-session ICC=0.68; peak extension in male: inter-session ICC=0.67 and intra-session ICC=0.66). The measurement error remained constant and standard error of measurement (SEM) difference was large between males (generally ≤4.8°) and females (generally ≤5.3°). Standard deviation (SD) was higher in females. In most segments, females exhibited higher MDCs except for lower lumbar sagittal movements.
CONCLUSION
Although ICCs were sufficiently reliable and constant in both genders during gait, there was difference in SEM due to difference in SD between genders caused by different gait disturbance in chronic low back pain. Due to the increasing tendency of measurement error in other areas of men and women, attention is needed when measuring lumbar motion using the method described in this study.

Keyword

Non-specific chronic low back pain; Three-dimensional gait analysis; Reliability; Measurement error

MeSH Terms

Biomechanical Phenomena*
Female
Gait*
Humans
Low Back Pain*
Male
Methods
Pelvis*
Reproducibility of Results
Spine
Thorax*

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Marker set up.

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  Fig. 2 Lumbar spine model. Calculation of upper and lower lumbar movement is illustrated using ‘a’ and ‘c’ angles. Lordosis is defined by ‘b’ angle.

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