Efficacy of Augmented Feedback on Lumbar Postural and Movement Control During Physiotherapy and Home Exercise

Zurich University of Applied Sciences

Status: Completed

Conditions: Low Back Pain

Treatments: Device: Augmented Feedback; Other: Control Group

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT03841552

KEK-ZH-Nr. 2011-0522

Details and patient eligibility

About

Exercise therapy is effective in improving pain experience and disability in patients with non-specific low back pain (NSLBP) and movement/postural control impairments. However, patients often find traditional exercises monotonous and discontinue their execution. Augmented feedback tools (AF) might improve patient adherence and therapy outcomes, but evidence is currently lacking on their effects on movement/postural control. In a pilot randomised controlled trial (RCT) on a population of patients with NSLBP and movement control impairment, treatment with physiotherapy and home exercise supported by AF is compared to traditional physiotherapy and home exercise treatment without AF (control group). The primary outcomes are defined as lumbar movement control and postural control, measured using an inertial measurement system.

Enrollment: 20 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 65 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• non specific low back pain for at least four weeks
• at least moderate disability (as indicated by an Oswestry disability index (ODI) > 8% (Mannion et al., 2006))
• low levels of biopsychosocial risk factors (STarT Back Screening tool > 4 points) (Hill et al., 2011)
• at least two positive movement control impairment tests (Luomajoki et al., 2008, Sahrmann, 2002)

Exclusion criteria

• specific low back pain
• pain in other areas of the body (e.g. neck, head, thoracic spine or arms)
• vertigo or equilibrium disturbances
• systemic diseases (e.g. tumours and diabetes)
• injuries
• surgeries of the legs within the last six months
• medication affecting postural control
• pregnancy

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Double Blind

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20 participants in 2 patient groups

Augmented Feedback

Experimental group

Description:

The exercises were conducted with the aim of improving postural- and movement control and awareness of the lumbar spine in both treatment groups. Both groups received nine 30-minute therapy sessions, during which they performed a series of exercises from an exercise catalogue. The exercises were selected based on their compatibility with the AF-system. Each patient performed impairment-specific exercises. The AF group received additional AF feedback during both the therapy sessions and the home exercise program, by combining the exercises with games designed to target movement control, body awareness, and stabilisation exercises.

Treatment:

Device: Augmented Feedback

Control Group

Active Comparator group

Description:

The control group performed the impairment-specific exercises without AF. The control group was able to receive conventional visual feedback, such as use of mirrors, as deemed appropriate by the therapists but no AF.

Treatment:

Other: Control Group