Static and dynamic balance in twins with chronic nonspecific low back pain: an analysis from NeuroCom Balance Manager®

• Grant number: 20/06953-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: October 01, 2020
• End date: December 31, 2021
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy
• Principal Investigator: Amélia Pasqual Marques
• Grantee: Mariany de Sousa Caprarola
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina (FM). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Low back pain (LBP) is the first cause of disability over the years, being more prevalente in adults and the elderly. Due to multifactorial causes, studies of LBP in twins are applied because they are able to isolate the genetic cause from the environmental one and allow accurate risk estimates. In addition, recent studies show that chronic low back pain (CLBP) is associated with decreased muscle strength and proprioception, which can lead to balance disorders. Objective: analyze static and dynamic balance of the twins with chronic nonspecific low back pain (CNLBP). Methodology: 102 pairs of twins (51 subjects) with CNLBP will be selected and will perform a series of evaluations where the sociodemographic and clinical variables will be measured through a specific questionnaire; behavioral variables by the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ - short version); pain intensity by Numerical Pain Scale (NPS); functional disability by the Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ) and balance using the Specific Activities Balance Scale (ABC) and the NeuroCom Balance Manager® force platform. The data will be used in RedCap, for processing data that will be used in SigmaStat 3.5 Software. Descriptive statistics, mean and standard deviation, verification of normal data (Kolmogorov-Smirnov), normal data (two-factor parametric ANOVA) and non-normal data (Wilcoxon Signed Rank). Significance level adopted =0,05. Expected results: This study is important because it can indicate if there is a change in balance in individuals with DLCI and if there is any relationship between balance, pain intensity and functional disability reported by the twin pairs. The present study is relevant for low back pain, proposing to make this comparison between pairs of twins with the symptom of chronic nonspecific low back pain.