Poster Presentation 51st International Society for the Study of the Lumbar Spine Annual Meeting 2025

Introduction: Dynamic posturography is a valuable tool for evaluating balance by isolating the contributions of different sensory systems: somatosensory, visual, and vestibular inputs. In individuals with chronic low back pain (LBP), postural stability is often compromised, but the specific sensory deficiencies contributing to this instability remain unclear, with studies presenting conflicting findings. Some research suggests that individuals with chronic LBP may rely more on visual input due to impaired proprioceptive feedback. In contrast, others propose that visual and vestibular contributions are less utilized in favor of somatosensory compensation. This study aimed to compare differences in four sensory scores (somatosensory, vision, vestibular, and visual preference) and equilibrium indices, particularly concerning fear of movement in individuals with and without LBP.

Methods: This study included 34 participants with LBP and 42 control subjects. All participants demonstrated three trials of the Sensory Organization Test (SOT) and were assessed for fear of movement using the Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia as well as for disability levels with the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) (Figure 1).

Results: The LBP group showed a significant increase in both fear of movement (t = -5.09, p = 0.001) and ODI scores (t = -10.85, p = 0.001) compared to the control group. There was a significant interaction between trials and indices (F = 15.79, p = 0.001). In the third trial of Condition 6, the LBP group decreased their equilibrium index (t = 1.68, p = 0.04). In addition, the LBP group showed reduced visual preference in the initial SOT trial (F = 4.35, p = 0.04), suggesting an adaptive strategy to minimize fall risk following repeated trials (Figure 2).

Discussion: The chronic LBP group demonstrated adaptability in visual preference, showing resilience across different visual conditions. Clinicians should be aware of these postural adjustments and associated fear of movement in chronic LBP, focusing on sensory types and adaptability in their approaches.