Visual Feedback in Chronic Low Back Pain of Pregnant and Nonpregnant Women

Feedback Visual na Lombalgia crónica da grávida e da não grávida/ Visual Feedback in Chronic Low Back Pain of Pregnant and Nonpregnant Women

The objectives of this study are to: Evaluate the effect of visual feedback on the intensity of low back pain, range of motion and function of pregnant and non-pregnant women with chronic low back pain. Determine the association between low back pain, catastrophizing, fear of movement and low back perception/image.

It is antecipated that 15 pregnant women with low back pain and 15 non-pregnant women with low back pain will enter the study. Each group will receive two different interventions, one consisting of visual feedback when performing 10 repetitions of low back flexion, extension and right and left side-flexion and another intervention consisting of the same low back movements without visual feedback. Participants will be assessed for pain intensity, pain location, disability, kinesiophobia, catastrophizing, perception of the low back, flexion range of motion and time to perform the sit to stand test both at baseline and after the intervention.

Participants will be asked to perform movements of the low back while looking at a mirror for visual feedback.

Participants will be asked to perform movements of the low back while the mirrors are covered and no visual feedback is provided.

Participants will be asked to perform 10 repetitions of low back flexion, extension and lateral side-flexions while looking at their back in a mirror for visual feedback.

Participants will be asked to perform 10 repetitions of low back flexion, extension and lateral side-flexions while looking at a mirror that is covered and no visual feedback is provided.

Measured using the visual analogue scale, which measures pain intensity (range: 0-10 and higher values are indicative of higher pain intensity)

Measured using the visual analogue scale, which measures pain intensity (range: 0-10 and higher values are indicative of higher pain intensity)

Assessed using the Roland Morris Questionnaire, which assesses low back pain associated disability (range: 0-24 and higher values indicate higher disability)

Assessed using the Roland Morris Questionnaire, which assesses low back pain associated disability (range: 0-24 and higher values indicate higher disability)

Assessed using the Pain Catastrophizing Scale (range 0-52 and higher values are indicative of higher pain catastrophizing)

Assessed using the Pain Catastrophizing Scale (range 0-52 and higher values are indicative of higher pain catastrophizing)

The distance between the 3rd finger and the floor is measured with a ruler when participants lean forward.

The distance between the 3rd finger and the floor is measured with a ruler when participants lean forward.

Measured using the sit-to-stand test, i.e., the time, in seconds, that a participant takes to sit and stand from a common chair 5 consecutive times.

Measured using the sit-to-stand test, i.e., the time, in seconds, that a participant takes to sit and stand from a common chair 5 consecutive times.

Inclusion Criteria: The sample will consist of 15 pregnant participants (ideally between the 2nd and 3rd trimester of gestation) with chronic idiopathic low back pain and a group of 15 non-pregnant women with chronic idiopathic low back pain. Exclusion Criteria: Pregnant women with risk pregnancy will be excluded as well as low back pain with a known cause (e.g. radiculopathy) and all participants with serious pathologies (e.g. history of trauma, surgery for less than 12 months, neurological pathologies, tumors).