LOW BACK PAIN LEAD TO LOSS IN PROPRIOCEPTION SENSE OF TRUNK IN YOUNG INDIVIDUALS.

Purpose: Although pain is a protective sense of the body to avoid further injuries, it may influence other somatosensory and somatomotor inputs related with its region. On the other hand proprioception is one of the most important somatosensory input that protect body from injury. Evidence suggests that pain have counfounding influence on muscle inhibition and proprioception in knee problems. Therefore the aim of the study was to investigate whether low back pain, which is so common health problem even in young individuals, lead to loss in proprioception sense of trunk. Methods: Thirtyeight individuals aged between 19 and 47 were voluntarly participated in the study. Pain intensity was assessed with VAS. Roland Morris and Ostwestry disability scales were questioned to see disability level. Propioception of trunk was measured by belt with laser pointer. Results: Low back pain intensity was found to be correlated with proprioception sense of trunk in lateral flexion movement. (p=0,004, r=0,461) There was no correlation between pain intensity and proprioceptive measurements of flexion and extension movements (p>0.05) as well as disability scores (p>0.05) Conclusions: We have revealed that pain can disturb proprioception sense of trunk especially in lateral flexion direction even the subjects were so young. The association of pain with proprioception sense of trunk should prompt future studies to reveal influence of pain on somatosensory factors in low back pain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]