Test–Retest Reliability of an iPhone® Inclinometer Application to Assess the Lumbar Joint Repositioning Error in Non-Specific Chronic Low Back Pain

Abstract

Background: The joint position sense (JPS) has been used as an indirect marker of proprioception in subjects with non-specific chronic low back pain (NSCLBP), showing impairment in previous studies. It seems necessary to devise reliable tests to measure proprioceptive deficits in subjects with NSLBP. The objective of this study was to analyse the test–retest reliability and smallest real difference (SRD) of lumbar proprioception through the JPS indicator in a sample of patients with NSCLBP. Methods: Fifty participants with NSCLBP performed three repetitions of 30° lumbar flexion while standing and sitting using the iPhone® inclinometer application to measure the lumbar joint repositioning error. For the reliability analysis, we performed an intra-session test–retest. Results: The total sample ICC values were excellent for standing (0.96) and sitting (0.93) 30° lumbar flexion. In addition, our results showed that, for the total sample, an SRD < 12% can be considered as a true change in proprioception concerning this procedure. On the other hand, men have better reliability than women in both standing and sitting positions. Additionally, the sitting position has better reliability than the standing position. The standard error of measurement (SEM) percentage was 4.2 for standing and 3.8 for sitting. The SRD percentage was 11.6 for standing and 10.4 for sitting. Conclusions: The iPhone® inclinometer seems reliable for assessing proprioceptive ability through the lumbar joint repositioning error in subjects with NSCLBP in both standing (ICC = 0.96) and sitting (ICC = 0.93) positions. This technological device showed a lower measurement error for sitting position (SRD < 12%).

Influence of Lumbar Posture on Back Muscles Flexion Relaxation Phenomenon among University Students with Chronic Non-Specific Low Back Pain

“…The inclusion criteria: Their age ranged from18-25 years [9] . Students with history of CNSLBP localized to lumbar region for at least 3 months [10] .…”

“…The prevalence of LBP has recently increased among many adolescents and young children [1] . LBP is categorized into acute and chronic categories, in the former which is known as chronic non-specific low back painis a persistent back and sacrum pain that lasts longer than 12 weeks; it affects 12-33 percent of adults and happens in 85% of cases for unexplained reasons [2] .…”

Smart scientific instruments based on smartphones: a brief review

“…The use of gyroscopes has been improved predominantly with ROMS measurements of the neck [30] and wrist [31], [32]. Analyses of hip rotation [33] and back pain [34] were also recently reported.…”

Lumbar joint position sense measurement of patients with low back pain

“…To improve the popularity and operability of lumbar position sense measurement, Alejandro et al ( 58 ) proposed to use iPhone® Inclinometer Application to measure lumbar position sense and conducted a reliability study. They selected standing and sitting positions to perform joint reposition.…”