No differences in spinal repositioning error in patients with low back pain presenting with a directional preference into extension

Aim: To compare repositioning error, habitual and self-perceived optimal sitting posture, between patients with low back pain presenting with a directional preference into extension and asymptomatic individuals. Method: Fifteen patients with low back pain were matched with 15 asymptomatic individuals. Lumbo-pelvic repositioning error, pain, functional disability, and depression were evaluated. Participants reproduced two target positions (neutral and lordotic sitting postures) after slump sitting. Results: No significant differences (all p >.05) were detected between patients with low back pain and asymptomatic individuals in error direction, magnitude and variability. Furthermore, no differences were found in habitual or self-perceived optimal posture between the patients and control groups. Conclusions: We found no evidence of deficits in proprioception in patients with mild low back pain and directional preference into extension. While the lack of clear deficits in repositioning error is consistent with many previous studies, there are also data suggesting deficits in repositioning error among patients with low back pain. Variations in methodology, the population of patients studied, and especially their level of pain, could explain this variation. The lack of consistent deficits in repositioning error suggests other factors, across the biopsychosocial spectrum, may be more relevant in the development, and persistence, of low back pain.