The Effects of Experimentally Induced Low Back Pain on Spine Rotational Stiffness and Local Dynamic Stability

Abstract

Local dynamic stability, quantified using the maximum finite-time Lyapunov exponent (λ max), and the muscular contributions to spine rotational stiffness can provide pertinent information regarding the neuromuscular control of the spine during movement tasks. The primary goal of the present study was to assess if experimental capsaicin-induced low back pain (LBP) affects spine stability and the neuromuscular control of repetitive trunk movements in a group of healthy participants with no history of LBP. Fourteen healthy males were recruited for this investigation. Each participant was asked to complete three trials (baseline, in pain, and recovery) of 35 cycles of a repetitive trunk flexion/extension task at a rate of 0.25 Hz. Local dynamic stability and the muscular contributions to lumbar spine rotational stiffness were significantly impaired during the LBP trial compared to the baseline trial (p < 0.05); however, there was a trend for these measures to recover after a 1 h rest. This study provides evidence that capsaicin can effectively induce LBP, thereby altering spine rotational stiffness and local dynamic stability. Future research should directly compare the effects capsaicin-induced LBP and intramuscular/intraligamentous induced LBP on these same variables.

Effects of noxious stimulation to the back or calf muscles on gait stability

“…Lower thorax variability during LBP at the faster speed might reflect a protective neuromuscular control strategy with the objective to enhance attenuation of perturbations between the pelvis and thorax, as reflected by the greater gait stability, potentially as a result of enhanced trunk stiffness. Ross et al (2015) did observe a positive relation between trunk stiffness and stability (LDE) of spinal movements during a flexion-extension task, however on average trunk stability decreased with pain in this study. Increased gait stability with LBP at the faster speed could lead to more predictable trunk movements.…”

“…Musculoskeletal pain has been associated with fall risk (Asai et al, 2015;de Zwart et al, 2015;Kitayuguchi et al, 2015) and may also impact stability. For example, spinal movement stability was lower during pain than no pain (Ross et al, 2015). It is important to address the effects of pain on gait stability as musculoskeletal pain increases with age Smith et al, 2014), which potentially could increase falls risk (Foley et al, 2006;Leveille et al, 2009).…”

Effects of Chemotherapy-Induced-Peripheral-Neuropathy on Spatiotemporal Gait Parameters and Fall Risk in Cancer Patients After the Completion of Chemotherapy Drug Treatment

“…A study by van den Hoorn, Hug, Hodges, Bruijn, and van Dieën (2015) investigated if nociceptive stimulation and induced pain affect gait stability. Previous research suggests that musculoskeletal pain is associated with fall risk and has a negative impact on stability (Asai, Misu, Sawa, Doi, & Yamada, 2015;de Zwart et al, 2015;Kitayuguchi, Kamada, Okada, Kamioka, & Mutoh, 2015;Ross, Mavor, Brown, & Graham, 2015).…”

The effect of different ranges of motion on local dynamic stability of the elbow during unloaded repetitive flexion–extension movements

“…LDS of the center of pressure during standing has been shown to be reduced in stroke patients, and improve with rehabilitation (Roerdink et al, 2006), and similarly LDS correlates with a risk of falling during gait (Su & Dingwell, 2007;Toebes, Hoozemans, Furrer, Dekker, & van Dieën, 2012;Bruijn, Meijer, Beek, & van Dieën, 2013;Reynard, Vuadens, Deriaz, & Terrier, 2014;) and improves with rehabilitation in multiple sclerosis patients who are at a higher risk of falling (Hilfiker et al, 2013). Finally, LDS has recently been used to demonstrate compromised low back kinematic control during trunk movements in subjects with experimentally-induced low back pain (Ross, Mavor, Brown, & Graham, 2015). These links between LDS and neuromuscular dysfunction highlight the potential clinical utility of this measure, and emphasize the need to directly evaluate how a variety of factors impact and affect LDS.…”