Abnormal performance of cervical stabilizer muscles in individuals with low back pain.
Level 4 - case-series / case-control
Cross-sectional case-control study comparing participants with low back pain to matched asymptomatic controls
PubMed 30935334 · doi:10.1080/10669817.2018.1560946
What was done
A cross-sectional case-control study compared cervical stabilizer muscle performance using the craniocervical flexion test (CCFT) among individuals with subacute low back pain (LBP; n = 23), chronic LBP (n = 23), and age- and gender-matched asymptomatic controls (n = 30). Activation score (AS) and performance index (PI) were recorded by an assessor blinded to group allocation.
What was found
Activation scores were significantly lower in participants with subacute LBP (P = 0.0002) and chronic LBP (P = 0.0009) compared to controls. Performance index was also significantly lower in the subacute (P = 0.0002) and chronic LBP (P = 0.0036) groups compared to controls. Approximately 74% of subacute LBP participants and 60% to 65% of chronic LBP participants had abnormal AS and PI. The subacute group showed significantly higher rates of abnormal responses on AS (P < 0.0001) and PI (P = 0.0001) than controls. Absolute score values and standard deviations were not reported in the abstract.
Why it matters
These findings suggest that low back pain may be associated with altered motor control extending to cervical stabilizer musculature, highlighting potential global spinal stabilizer interactions.
Limits
The sample size was small (n = 76 total). The cross-sectional design cannot establish causality or determine whether cervical stabilizer dysfunction preceded or resulted from low back pain. Absolute scores, confidence intervals, and co-occurring neck symptoms were not reported in the abstract.
Cited by
- supports Retraction of the chin provides stability to the cervical spine.