DISTINGUISHABLE GROUPS OF MUSCULOSKELETAL LOW-BACK-PAIN PATIENTS AND ASYMPTOMATIC CONTROL SUBJECTS BASED ON PHYSICAL MEASURES OF THE NIOSH LOW-BACK ATLAS

Study Design. The authors performed an empirical prospective study of 115 patients referred to physical therapy for low back pain and 112 co ntrol subjects of similar age and gender. Objectives. The authors defi ned and compared subgroups based on physical tests and described demog raphic and psychosocial characteristics by group. Summary of Backgroun d Data. Prospective studies of intervention for persons with low back pain are limited by inability to randomize subjects into distinguishab le groups. Previous attempts have not been empirical and have not focu sed on musculoskeletal LBP. Methods. Ten physical therapists administe red 52 tests and 6 questionnaires to subjects in seven different clini cs. Data were subjected to reliability and cluster and comparative ana lyses. Results. Tests were reliable. Groups were distinguished by meas ures of symmetry, flexibility, strength, and dynamic mobility. Conclus ion. Distinguishable groups can be determined; decreased trunk mobilit y characterized all groups of patients and imbalances in muscle length , strength, and symmetry described specific groups of subjects with an d without low back pain.