Razi Journal of Medical Sciences

  The purpose of this nonexperimental case-control study was to compare the postural control abilities in normal subjects (n=25) and patients with chronic low back pain (n=25), selected by nonprobability convenient sampling. The Biodex balance system was used to implement dynamic test in four positions including double-leg eyes-open (DEO), double-leg eyes-closed (DEC), single-leg eyes-open (SEO), single-leg eyes-closed (SEC) and dynamic limits-of-stability (LOS) test. Overall, anteroposterior and mediolateral stability indices as wall as the time percent of zone A (<5 ˚ inclination) were measured in dynamic balance tests while the completation time and overall directional control were measured in LOS test. Independent-t test ( α =0.05) were used to compare dependent variables between two groups. All dependent variables showed statistically significant difference (P<0.01) between the two groups except for AP stability index in DEO position. The most obvious differences were seen with eye closure and in ML indices. Based on these results, chronic low back pain patients had abnormalities in balance control both during body maintainance and weight shift. The patients had visual dependency and lateral instability. Balance problems, motor control abnormalities, proprioceptive deficits and muscular stabilizing systems of lumbopelvic region must be considered for successful evaluation and management in patients with chronic low back pain.