IntroductionClinical lumbar instability (CLI) is one of the subgroups of chronic non-specific low back pain. Thai rice farmers often have poor sustained postures during a rice planting process and start their farming at an early age. However, individual associated factors of CLI are not known and have rarely been diagnosed in low back pain. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and individual associated factors of CLI in Thai rice farmers.MethodsA cross-sectional survey was conducted among 323 Thai rice farmers in a rural area of Khon Kaen province, Thailand. Face-to-face interviews were conducted using the 13-item Delphi criteria questionnaire, after which an objective examination was performed using aberrant movement sign, painful catch sign, and prone instability test to obtain information. Individual factors such as sex, body mass index, waist-hip ratio, smoking, and number of years of farming experience, were recorded during the face-to-face interview.ResultsThe prevalence of CLI in Thai rice farmers calculated by the method described in this study was 13% (age 44±10 years). Number of years of farming experience was found to be significantly correlated with the prevalence of CLI (adjusted odds ratio =2.02, 95% confidence interval =1.03–3.98, P<0.05).ConclusionThis study provides prevalence of CLI in Thai rice farmers. Those with long-term farming experience of at least 30 years have a greater risk of CLI.
Postural balance is important for activities of daily living. Patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP) exhibit balance problems, such as difficulty performing daily activities. Specifically, CLBP patients with clinical lumbar instability (CLI) have demonstrated deep trunk muscular dysfunction that induces poor postural control and may result in a high risk of falling. This study aimed to investigate the effect of a 10-week core stabilization exercise (CSE) regimen versus a strengthening trunk exercise (STE) regimen and conduct a 3-month follow-up on balance, pain, and trunk muscle activity patterns in CLI patients. A single-blind randomized controlled trial was used to compare the effects of CSE and STE on balance, pain, and trunk muscle activity patterns in 38 CLBP patients with CLI. The results of the 5-times-sit-to-stand test (FTSST) and pain intensity revealed significant improvements in both groups after ten weeks of exercise and at the 3-month follow-up point. However, the differences in the FTSST scores and pain intensity between the CSE and STE patients were not significant. Moreover, the CSE group presented significantly greater deep abdominal muscle activation than the STE group after ten weeks of exercise. In addition, both groups exhibited a trend of improvement in terms of deep back muscle activation. Therefore, the current study results suggest that both exercise regimens can improve balance performance and pain intensity. Moreover, the CSE group showed more significant improvements in deep abdominal muscle activation than the STE group.
[Purpose] The current study aimed to investigate the center of pressure, as an indicator
of postural sway, to determine any differences between women with clinical lumbar
instability and asymptomatic low back pain. [Participants and Methods] Thirty healthy and
fifteen clinical lumbar instability participants were measured for their postural sway in
the anterior-posterior and medial-lateral directions. The women were tested for postural
sway on a force plate in quiet standing and eyes closed. Center of pressure path length
and mean velocity in the anterior-posterior and medial-lateral directions and total area
of excursion were measured and analyzed for 30 seconds. [Results] Clinical lumbar
instability participants showed a significantly increase when compared with healthy
participants, in path length and mean velocity in both directions and total area of
excursion. [Conclusion] The findings suggest that chronic low back pain patients with
clinical lumbar instability have increased postural sway when vision is deprived. The
clinical significance of this has not yet been determined but may provide an opportunity
for therapy directed at improving balance control in this patient group.
Objectives: To assess the prevalence and associated factors of Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS) in young women with low to moderate Physical Activity (PA) levels. Methods: Women with low to moderate PA, aged between 18 and 40 years, were enrolled in this study. A Thai version of the Kujala patellofemoral questionnaire (KPQ), history taking, and physical examination were used to screen and confirm the diagnosis of PFPS. Demographic features, including age, Body Mass Index (BMI), PA, knee alignment, and static foot posture, were recorded. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to determine confounding factors associated with PFPS. Results: A total of 1011 women with a Mean±SD age of 25.51±6.79 years participated in this study. The prevalence of PFPS was 15%. Age, BMI, PA, knee alignment, and static foot posture were not significantly associated with PFPS in this population. Discussion: Although the participants were young adults with low to moderate PA, the prevalence of PFPS was in the same range as the highly active groups. None of the factors investigated in this study could predict PFPS occurrence. Based on the findings, the risk factors of PFPS seem to be complex and individualized. The early diagnosis and treatment of PFPS should therefore be considered in this age group.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.