Motor Learning for the Lumbar Spine Using Sensor-based Postural Feedback: a Randomized Controlled Trial

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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A large subgroup of patients with chronic non-specific low back pain have motor control impairments. During motor control exercises, different forms of external feedback can be used to support training. This randomized controlled trial will investigate the effectiveness of different forms of external feedback during the learning phase of a motor control task for the lumbar spine in healthy subjects and patients with chronic non-specific low back pain (CNSLBP). Both healthy subjects and patients with CNSLBP will be randomized into three groups: one group will receive feedback from motion sensors, one group from a mirror and one group will receive no feedback (control group). A single session intervention with measurements at baseline and immediately post-intervention will be used.

Official Title
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Motor Learning for the Lumbar Spine Using Sensor-based Postural Feedback: a Randomized Controlled Trial

Conditions
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Chronic Non-specific Low Back Pain

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: Sensor-based postural feedback
* Other: Mirror feedback
* Other: Control group


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Chronic non-specific low back pain Age 18-65 Able to understand Dutch Exclusion Criteria: Subjects that received lumbar stabilization exercises in the past year Spinal surgery in the past Pregnancy Serious underlying pathologies (e.g. multiple sclerosis, tumors,…) Signs or symptoms of nerve root involvement Any physical condition at the moment of testing that can interfere with activities of daily living (e.g. serious knee pain) Known skin-allergy for tape BMI > 30kg/m²

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 65 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Sensor-based postural feedback<br>Subjects will receive visual feedback on a computer screen while practicing the motor control task. The feedback is based on information from from motion sensors that mointor the movements of the lumbar spine | Other: Sensor-based postural feedback<br>* Motion tracking sensors will provide feedback to subjects during the learning phase of a motor control task<br>|
| Experimental: Mirror Feedback<br>Subjects will receive feedback from a mirror while practicing the motor control task | Other: Mirror feedback<br>* Subjects will receive feedback from a mirror during the learning phase of a motor control task<br>|
| Active Comparator: control group<br>Subjects will receive no feedback while practicing the motor control task | Other: Control group<br>* Subjects will receive no feedback during the learning phase of a motor control task<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Change in lumbopelvic kinematics from baseline to immediately post-intervention | Kinematics will be assessed using motion sensors that are mounted on the skin at the spinous processes of L1 and S1, and at the femur. | Day 1, immediately post-intervention | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| usefulness of feedback (Numeric rating scale 0-10) | How useful was the feedback that was provided to the subjects during the exercise trials? | Day 1, immediately post-intervention | 
| Pain during the exercise trials (Numeric rating scale 0-10) | Outcome measure primarily used as possible covariate | Day 1, immediately post-intervention | 
| Fear of low back pain during the exercise trials (Numeric rating scale 0-10) | Outcome measure primarily used as possible covariate | Day 1, immediately post-intervention | 
| Fear of damaging the lumbar spine during the exercise trials (numeric rating scale 0-10) | Outcome measure primarily used as possible covariate | Day 1, immediately post-intervention | 
| Borg-scale to measure fatigue during the exercise trials | Outcome measure primarily used as possible covariate | Day 1, immediately post-intervention |