From Structural to Functional Characteristics of the Lumbar Multifidus in Low Back Pain

Catholic University (KU) of Leuven

Status: Unknown

Conditions: Chronic Low Back Pain; Low Back Pain

Study type: Observational

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT03612089

s60404

Details and patient eligibility

About

To delineate the underlying mechanisms that contribute to chronic low back pain, by extending our knowledge on structural characteristics of the lumbar multifidus muscle using ultrasound muscle imaging, and by examining the association of structural features with functional performance, more precisely proprioceptive control.

Enrollment: 60 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 60 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion and exclusion criteria

Inclusion criteria for chronic low back pain group:

• Non-specific low back pain, during 3 or more months, without radicular leg pain
• Modified Low Back Pain Disability Questionnaire > 20%
• Indication for MRI of the lumbar spine
• No contra-indications for MRI
• Informed consent to participate

Inclusion criteria for healthy control group:

• No history of low back pain needing medical treatment or resulting in limited activity level
• Any low back pain in the previous 3 months
• Informed consent to participate

Exclusion criteria for all subjects:

• Pregnancy
• Previous trauma or surgery to spine, abdomen or pelvis
• Structural deformity (e.g. scoliosis)
• Neurological/neuromuscular/systemic disease
• Inability to lie prone for 20 minutes

Trial design

60 participants in 2 patient groups

Low back pain group

Description:

Individuals with non-specific chronic low back pain

Healthy control group

Description:

Healthy individuals without low back pain