Article

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the short- and long-term reliability of isometric trunk
strength measurements in patients with chronic low back pain in different age
groups. DESIGN: Test-retest reliability study. PATIENTS:
A total of 210 patients
(age groups 18-39, 40-59 and 60-90 years). METHODS: Patients performed testing at
baseline, 1-2 days (day 2) and 6 weeks. RESULTS: Only the oldest age group showed
similar extension strength on all three test days All age groups showed
significant changes in rotation and flexion scores from baseline to 6 weeks.
Younger age groups (18-39 and 40-59 years) showed significant increases in
extension, flexion, and rotation strength at both short-term (baseline to day 2)
and long-term (baseline to 6 weeks) retests, but not from day 2 to 6 weeks. In
patients over 60 years of age the smallest real differences normalized to
baseline (%) were smaller from day 2 to 6 weeks than from baseline to 6 weeks.
Long-term intraclass correlation coefficients were lowest between baseline and 6
weeks. No relevant impacts of feelings, motivation, or pain on reliability were
detected. CONCLUSION: Reliability of isometric trunk strength measurements in
patients with chronic low back pain is similar in older and younger patients.
Short-term test repetition a few days after baseline is recommended, if
clinically feasible, and especially in research evaluating the effects of exercise on strength.

Langue : ANGLAIS