Classifying Subgroups of Chronic Low Back Pain Patients Based on Lifting Patterns
Presented to the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society, August 28–September 3, 2006, New York, NY; and at the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Statistical Signal Processing Workshop, August 26–28, 2007, Madison, WI.
Abstract
Slaboda JC, Boston JR, Rudy TE, Lieber SJ. Classifying subgroups of chronic low back pain patients based on lifting patterns.
Objective
To compare self-reported measures of chronic lower back pain (CLBP) patients who were assigned to 2 subgroups based on their lifting patterns performed during a repetitive lifting task.
Design
Cross-sectional study.
Setting
Research laboratory
Participants
CLBP subjects (n=81) and pain-free controls (n=53).
Interventions
Not applicable.
Main Outcome Measures
Measures of lifting patterns and self-reported disability, pain, and psychosocial aspects.
Results
Two CLBP subgroups were found: 1 group that lifts similarly to control subjects (n=35) and 1 group that lifts very differently from controls (n=46). The CLBP group that lifted differently than controls reported higher pain intensity (P=.005), higher pain severity (P=.025), and lower self-efficacy (P=.013) than the CLBP group that lifted similarly to controls.
Conclusions
A classification system based on lifting patterns identified 2 CLBP subgroups that were significantly different on lifting and self-reported measures, indicating the importance of physical functioning measures in classification systems.
aDepartment of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
bDepartment of Electrical Engineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
cDepartment of Anesthesiology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
dDepartment of Biostatistics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
eDepartment of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
fPain Evaluation and Treatment Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA.
Reprint requests to Jill C. Slaboda, PhD, Temple University, 40 Pearson Hall, 1800 N Broad St, Philadelphia, PA 19122
Supported by the National Institutes of Health (grant nos. 1R01 AR38698, 1R01 AG18299) and the University of Pittsburgh (Provost Development Fund).
No commercial party having a direct financial interest in the results of the research supporting this article has or will confer a benefit on the authors or on any organization with which the authors are associated.
ABSTRACT