The Neural Basis of Lumbosacral Proprioceptive Impairment in Recurrent Low Back Pain

Completed

• Conditions: Low Back Pain

• Registration Number: NCT01540617
• Lead Sponsor: KU Leuven

Brief Summary

Low back pain (LBP) is a well known health problem in Western society that is significantly responsible for socio-economic problems like absenteeism and disability. The lifetime prevalence of LBP is 60-80% and approximately 85% of this LBP has a "non-specific" character whereby the underlying causes and risk factors cannot be demonstrated. While many people recover within a month, most individuals will have recurrence within a year with more severe symptoms. This might be due to insufficient knowledge of the underlying mechanisms. Impaired proprioception, the ability to discern body/limb positions and movements, may cause and maintain LBP shown by an altered postural control strategy. Specifically, patients with LBP rely more on proprioceptive signals from the ankles due to less reliable proprioceptive input of proximal segments. Moreover, they show a decreased variability in postural control and less postural robustness, while variability is a prerequisite for optimal functioning of biological systems. However, further clarification of the neural correlates is necessary. Deficits in proprioception, as found in a subgroup of patient with LBP, are associated with a decreased ability of the brain to process proprioceptive inputs.

The aim of this project is to clarify the central changes in individuals with recurrent non-specific low back pain and healthy controls. To evaluate these central changes MRI techniques (3DTFE, DTI and RS-fMRI) will be used. In addition, the association between central changes and postural control tasks will be evaluated.

Detailed Description

Not available

Study Timeline

• Study First Submitted: 2012-02-23
• Study First Submitted QC: 2012-02-28
• Study First Posted: 2012-02-29
• Study Start: 2012-04
• Status Verified: 2014-04
• Primary Completion: 2014-04
• Study Completion: 2014-04
• Last Update Submitted: 2014-04-11
• Last Update Posted: 2014-04-14

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 36

Inclusion Criteria

Not provided

Exclusion Criteria

• History of major trauma and/or major orthopedic surgery of the spine, the pelvis or the lower quadrant
• One of the following conditions: Parkinson, MS, Stroke with sequels....
• Radicular symptoms
• Not Dutch-speaking
• Strong opioids
• Neck pain
• Ankle problems
• Smoking

Study & Design

• Study Type: OBSERVATIONAL
• Study Design: Not specified

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Proprioceptive postural control (center of pressure displacement in response to muscle vibration)	One time point
Structural changes in white matter pathways (3DTFE and DTI) (in individuals with recurrent non-specific low back pain compared to healthy controls)	One time point
Changes in resting state activity between individuals with recurrent non-specific low back pain and healthy controls)	One time point

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Katholieke Universiteit Leuven; 🇧🇪 Leuven, Belgium