Abstract
Objective To determine the correlation between posttreatment trunk range of motion (ROM) and
isometric strength (TIS) and pain and disability in patients who underwent multimodal
rehabilitation for low back pain (LBP).
Methods In this prospective cohort study, 122 patients undergoing multimodal rehabilitation
for LBP were analyzed. The pre- and posttreatment numerical pain rating scale (NPRS)
and the Oswestry disability index (ODI) scores, as well as trunk ROM and TIS were
compared. The Pearson correlation was used to determine correlation between posttreatment
clinical outcomes and ROM and TIS.
Results At the end of treatment, the mean NPRS (p < 0.0001) and ODI (p < 0.0001) scores, mean trunk extension (p < 0.0001), and flexion (p < 0.0001) ROMs improved significantly. Similarly, posttreatment, the mean extension
(p < 0.0001) and flexion (p < 0.0001) TISs improved significantly. There was a weak correlation between the NPRS
score and ROM extension (r = -0.24, p = 0.006) and flexion strength (r = -0.28, p = 0.001), as well as between the ODI score and TIS extension (r = -0.30, p = 0.0007) and flexion (r = -0.28, p = 0.001).
Conclusion Despite significant improvement in pain, disability, trunk ROM, and TIS with multimodal
treatment, there was a weak correlation between posttreatment pain and function and
trunk ROM and TIS. Improvement in pain and function with physical rehabilitation treatment
for LBP is a complex phenomenon and needs further investigation.
Keywords
flexibility - low back pain - multimodal treatment - spine
