The validation of the Fitbit device in twins pairs discordant with low back pain.

• Grant number: 15/11877-6
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Master's degree
• Start date: December 01, 2015
• End date: February 29, 2016
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy
• Principal Investigator: Rafael Zambelli de Almeida Pinto
• Grantee: Priscila Kalil Morelhão
• Supervisor: Paulo Henrique Ferreira
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia (FCT). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Presidente Prudente. Presidente Prudente , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: University of Sydney, Australia
• Associated to the scholarship: 15/02744-2 - Comparing the responsiveness of objective and subjective physical activity-related measures in patients with non-specific chronic low back pain, BP.MS

Abstract

Background The assumption patients with low back pain (LBP) decrease their level of physical activity due to pain has been questioned. Studies with twins may help to clarify the role of physical deconditioning in patients with LBP because of the possibility of controlling for possible genetic confounding. To investigate the role of physical activity levels in back pain research, objective measurement such as physical activity monitors has been widely recommended. The Fitbit device is a relatively low cost physical activity monitor with a much simpler and friendly user interface than most other devices. The aim of this study is to assess the validity of the Fitbit device to assess physical activity levels of twins with or without low back pain and to investigate the association between physical activity levels and LBP in twin pairs discordant for LBP. Method Participants will be identified from the Australian Twin Registry (ATR). Thirty twin pairs discordant for LBP will be included in the analysis twins will wear Fitbit and Actigraph GT3X accelerometer for 7 consecutive days. Validity will be assessed by comparing the output using Spearman's rank correlation coefficients. The association between physical activity and LBP will be investigated with conditional logistic regression.