Postural sway changes and quality of life measures in older women with chronic low back pain
摘要
Chronic low back pain (LBP) impairs postural control and quality of life (QOL), yet findings on disability and postural sway in older women with LBP remain inconsistent.
PurposeTo investigate gender differences in postural sway during unilateral stance under varying visual conditions, and to examine relationships among sway parameters, disability, and QOL in older adults with LBP.
MethodsSeventy-seven community-dwelling adults with LBP (46 women, 31 men) completed three unilateral standing trials under eyes-open and eyes-closed conditions on a force platform. Outcome measures included anteroposterior (AP) and mediolateral (ML) sway ranges, the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), Fall Efficacy Scale (FES), Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia (TSK), and Short Form-36 (SF-36) QOL domains.
ResultsA significant gender × direction × trial interaction (F = 4.47, p = 0.04) indicated that men and women adapted differently across repeated trials depending on sway direction. Under eyes-closed conditions, AP sway differed significantly across trials (p < 0.05). Women exhibited smaller AP sway and no significant associations among ODI, emotional well-being, or other QOL domains, whereas men showed strong correlations among ODI, FES, TSK, and QOL measures.
ConclusionOlder women with LBP demonstrated reduced AP sway under visual deprivation, indicating a compensatory postural control strategy. As a result, balance strategies should emphasize enhancing fall efficacy, physical function, and pain management in women, while prioritizing emotional well-being and role-related QOL in men.