Article

Physical functioning is a multidimensional construct covering perceived
functioning, functional capacity and actual physical activity. Currently, the
assessment of physical functioning in low back pain (LBP) patients has been
limited to only one or two of these aspects.
This study evaluates physical
functioning of LBP patients by assessing the three individual aspects using
questionnaires and ambulant sensor-based measurements. METHODS: Actual physical
activity, functional capacity and perceived functioning were measured in 26
patients undergoing patient specific treatment before, direct and 3-4 weeks after
the first treatment using, respectively, sensor-based activity monitoring,
sensor-based motion analysis test and the Oswestry questionnaire. Patients were
compared to a healthy control group. RESULTS: Perceived functioning and
functional capacity, but not actual physical activity is impaired in pre-treatment LBP patients. After treatment, patients improved in perceived
physical functioning and functional capacity approaching healthy levels, however
only slight (p > 0.05) improvements in actual physical activity were found.
Moreover, only few and weak correlations were found between the different aspects
of physical functioning. CONCLUSION: Perceived functioning, actual physical
activity and functional capacity are three independent outcome dimensions, being
complementary but not redundant. Especially, perceived functioning and physical
capacity need attention when evaluating LBP patients during rehabilitation.
Implications for Rehabilitation Perceived physical functioning and physical
capacity are negatively affected by low back pain and improve after treatment.
Low back pain patients perform their daily activity independent of pain and
complaints. Inertia sensor-based motion analysis can objectify treatment effects
showing low back pain patients their progress in rehabilitation. New
interventions can be justified with inertia sensor technology in low back pain patients.

Langue : ANGLAIS