Changes in Trunk Kinematics in People with Chronic Non-Specific Low Back Pain Using Wearable Inertial Sensors

Abstract

Low back pain (LBP) is one of the most common musculoskeletal conditions and the leading cause of disability. It is estimated that at least 8 out of 10 people experience low back pain during their lifetime. The purpose of this study was to determine trunk kinematics in individuals with and without non-specific chronic LBP during flexion–extension and hurdle step tests. A total of 90 participants (45 participants with LBP and 45 without LBP), aged between 18 and 50, participated in this study. The wearable inertial sensors were used to capture three-dimensional movements during both trunk flexion–extension and the hurdle step test. Altered trunk kinematics during the flexion–extension and the hurdle step test were observed in individuals with non-specific chronic low back pain.

Keywords

• low back pain
• kinematics
• wearable sensors