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This study defines the limits of stability in sitting, and quantitatively assesses two measures of postural control relative to these limits. Young, healthy subjects sat, feet unsupported, on an elevated force plate. The limits of stability were determined by a least square fit of an ellipse to the center of pressure (CoP) excursion during maximal leaning in 8 directions. These were highly symmetrical and centered within the base of support. The ellipses had a mean eccentricity of 0.66 (major axis in the sagittal plane) and covered an area approx. 1/3 of the base of support. The CoP was then monitored over 4 min of quiet sitting, during which the postural sway covered an area <0.05% of the limits of stability and was closely centered within the latter. Finally, targetdirected trunk movements were performed, in 5 directions, at 4 movement speeds and 3 target distances. Increased target distance and movement speed both decreased the margin of stability (distance between the CoP and the limits of stability), as did movement in the frontal plane, reflecting the eccentricity of the limits of stability. These combined findings support the validity of this quantitative method of defining the limits of stability in sitting, for healthy individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Although pain-related fear and catastrophizing are predictors of disability in low back pain (LBP), their relationship with guarded motor behavior is unclear. The aim of this meta-analysis was to determine the relationship between pain-related threat (via pain-related fear and catastrophizing) and motor behavior during functional tasks in adults with LBP., Methods: This review followed PRISMA guidelines. MEDLINE, Embase, PsychINFO, and CINAHL databases were searched to April 2021. Included studies measured the association between pain-related fear or pain catastrophizing and motor behavior (spinal range of motion, trunk coordination and variability, muscle activity) during movement in adults with nonspecific LBP. Studies were excluded if participants were postsurgery or diagnosed with specific LBP. Two independent reviewers extracted all data. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale was used to assess for risk of bias. Correlation coefficients were pooled using the random-effects model., Results: Reduced spinal range of motion during flexion tasks was weakly related to pain-related fear (15 studies, r = -0.21, 95% CI = -0.31 to -0.11) and pain catastrophizing (7 studies, r = -0.24, 95% CI = -0.38 to -0.087). Pain-related fear was unrelated to spinal extension (3 studies, r = -0.16, 95% CI = -0.33 to 0.026). Greater trunk extensor muscle activity during bending was moderately related to pain-related fear (2 studies, r = -0.40, 95% CI = -0.55 to -0.23). Pain catastrophizing, but not fear, was related to higher trunk activity during gait (2 studies, r = 0.25, 95% CI = 0.063 to 0.42). Methodological differences and missing data limited robust syntheses of studies examining muscle activity, so these findings should be interpreted carefully., Conclusion: This study found a weak to moderate relationship between pain-related threat and guarded motor behavior during flexion-based tasks, but not consistently during other movements., Impact: These findings provide a jumping-off point for future clinical research to explore the advantages of integrated treatment strategies that target both psychological and motor behavior processes compared with traditional approaches., (© The Author(s) 2021. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the American Physical Therapy Association. All rights reserved. For permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.)

Background: Patients with knee osteoarthritis often present with varus thrust and muscular co-contraction during gait. It is unclear if these adaptations are related. The objective was to examine the relationship between muscle co-contraction and varus thrust during gait in patients with knee osteoarthritis and to determine if these relationships are modulated by disease severity or history of knee ligament rupture., Methods: Participants (n = 42, 23 women, mean age 58 years) with knee osteoarthritis completed gait trials at self-selected speeds. Varus thrust was measured with an eight camera motion capture system sampled at 100 Hz. Co-contraction ratios were measured with surface electromyography sampled at 2000 Hz over the quadriceps, hamstrings, and gastrocnemius. Disease severity was measured on radiographs and history of anterior cruciate ligament rupture was confirmed on magnetic resonance imaging. Linear regression analyses examined the relationship between varus thrust and co-contraction ratios after controlling for radiographic disease severity and history of anterior cruciate ligament rupture., Findings: Higher vastus lateralis-lateral hamstring (b = 0.081, P < 0.001; R 2  = 0.353) and vastus medialis-medial hamstring (b = 0.063, P = 0.028; R 2  = 0.168) co-contraction ratios were associated with greater varus thrust. Quadriceps-gastrocnemius co-contractions ratios were not related to varus thrust (P > 0.05). Radiographic disease severity or history of anterior cruciate ligament injury did not significantly contribute to regression models., Interpretation: Greater quadriceps-hamstring co-contraction is associated with greater varus thrust in patients with knee osteoarthritis. Potential explanations include increased co-contraction may provide stability or there is a proprioceptive reflex that is independent of any stabilizing role. Research is needed to test these hypotheses., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Study Design Literature review with meta-analysis. Background The McKenzie Method of Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy (MDT), a classification-based system, was designed to classify patients into homogeneous subgroups to direct treatment. Objectives To examine the effectiveness of MDT for improving pain and disability in patients with either acute (less than 12 weeks in duration) or chronic (greater than 12 weeks in duration) low back pain (LBP). Methods Randomized controlled trials examining MDT in patients with LBP were identified from 6 databases. Independent investigators assessed the studies for exclusion, extracted data, and assessed risk of bias. The standardized mean difference (SMD) and 95% confidence interval were calculated to compare the effects of MDT to those of other interventions in patients with acute or chronic LBP. Results Of the 17 studies that met the inclusion criteria, 11 yielded valid data for analysis. In patients with acute LBP, there was no significant difference in pain resolution (P = .11) and disability (P = .61) between MDT and other interventions. In patients with chronic LBP, there was a significant difference in disability (SMD, -0.45), with results favoring MDT compared to exercise alone. There were no significant differences between MDT and manual therapy plus exercise (P>.05) for pain and disability outcomes. Conclusion There is moderate- to high-quality evidence that MDT is not superior to other rehabilitation interventions for reducing pain and disability in patients with acute LBP. In patients with chronic LBP, there is moderate- to high-quality evidence that MDT is superior to other rehabilitation interventions for reducing pain and disability; however, this depends on the type of intervention being compared to MDT. Level of Evidence Therapy, level 1a. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2018;48(6):476-490. Epub 30 Mar 2018. doi:10.2519/jospt.2018.7562.

Lateral trunk lean (LTL) is a proposed intervention for knee osteoarthritis but increased muscular demands have not been considered. The objective was to compare lower extremity and trunk muscle activation and joint mechanics between normal and increased LTL gait in healthy adults. Participants (n=20, mean age 22 years) were examined under two gait conditions: normal and increased LTL. A motion capture system and force plates sampled at 100 and 2000Hz respectively were used to determine joint angles and external moments including LTL angle and external knee adduction moment (KAM). Surface electromyography, sampled at 2000Hz, measured activation of six trunk/hip muscles bilaterally. Peak LTL angle, peak KAM, gait speed, and mean values from electromyography waveforms were compared between normal and LTL conditions using paired t-tests or 2-way analysis of variance. There was a significant (p<0.05) increase in peak LTL angle, decrease in first but not second peak KAM, and decrease in gait speed during LTL gait. There were significant (p<0.01) increases in external oblique and iliocostalis muscle activation during LTL gait. There was no change in activation for internal oblique, rectus abdominis, longissimus, and gluteus medius. LTL gait decreased early/mid-stance KAM demonstrating its ability to decrease medial compartment knee loading. Increases in external oblique and iliocostalis activation were present but small to moderate in size and unlikely to lead to short term injury. Longitudinal studies should evaluate the effectiveness of increased LTL for knee osteoarthritis and if the increase in muscular demands leads to negative long term side effects., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: High joint loading, knee muscle weakness, and poor proprioceptive acuity are important factors that have been linked to knee osteoarthritis (OA). We previously reported that those with unilateral hip OA and bilateral asymptomatic knees are more predisposed to develop progressive OA in the contralateral knee relative to the ipsilateral knee. In the present study, we evaluate asymmetries in muscle strength and proprioception between the limbs and also evaluate relationships between these factors and joint loading that may be associated with the asymmetric evolution of OA in this group., Methods: Sixty-two participants with symptomatic unilateral hip OA and asymptomatic knees were evaluated for muscle strength, joint position sense and dynamic joint loads at the knees. Muscle strength and proprioception were compared between limbs and correlations between these factors and dynamic joint loading were evaluated. Subgroup analyses were also performed in only those participants that fulfilled criteria for severe hip OA., Results: Quadriceps muscle strength was 15% greater, and in the severe subgroup, proprioceptive acuity was 25% worse at the contralateral compared to ipsilateral knee of participants with unilateral hip OA (P <0.05). In addition, at the affected limb, there was an association between decreased proprioceptive acuity and higher knee loading (Spearman's rho = 0.377, P = 0.007) and between decreased proprioceptive acuity and decreased muscle strength (Spearman's rho = -0.328, P = 0.016)., Conclusions: This study demonstrated asymmetries in muscle strength and proprioception between the limbs in a unilateral hip OA population. Early alterations in these factors suggest their possible role in the future development of OA at the contralateral 'OA-predisposed knee' in this group. Furthermore, the significant association observed between proprioception, loading, and muscle strength at the affected hip limb suggests that these factors may be interrelated.

Objectives: The objective of this paper is to perform the cross-cultural validation of the French version of the LupusPRO, a disease-targeted patient-reported outcome measure, among systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients in Canada., Methods: The French version of the LupusPRO and the MOS SF-36 were administered; demographic, clinical and serological characteristics were obtained. Disease activity (SELENA-SLEDAI and the Lupus Foundation of America definition of flare) and damage (SLICC/ACR SDI) were assessed. Physician disease activity and damage assessments were ascertained using visual analog scales. Internal consistency reliability (ICR), test-retest reliability (TRT), convergent and discriminant validity (against corresponding domains of the SF-36), criterion validity (against disease activity, damage or health status) and known group validity were tested., Results: A total of 99 French-Canadian SLE patients participated (97% women, mean (SD) age 45.2 (14.5) years). The median (IQR) SELENA-SLEDAI and SDI were 3.5 (6.0) and 1.0 (2.0), respectively. The ICR of the LupusPRO domains ranged from 0.81 to 0.93 (except for lupus symptoms, procreation and coping), while TRT ranged from 0.72 to 0.95. Convergent and discriminant validity, criterion validity and known group validity against disease activity, damage and health status measures were observed. Confirmatory factor analysis showed a good fit., Conclusion: The LupusPRO has fair psychometric properties among French-Canadian patients with SLE., (© The Author(s) 2014 Reprints and permissions: sagepub.co.uk/journalsPermissions.nav.)

LupusPRO is a disease-targeted patient-reported outcome measure that was developed and validated from and among US patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We herein report the results of the cross-cultural adaptation and validation study of the Turkish translated version of the LupusPRO. Turkish LupusPRO and the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form (SF-36) (Turkish) were administered to the Turkish lupus patients. Disease activity was ascertained using the physician global assessment (PGA), Safety of Estrogens in Lupus Erythematosus National Assessment-Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SELENA-SLEDAI), and flare (defined by LFA-Lupus Foundation of America). Disease damage was assessed with Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics/American College of Rheumatology damage index (SDI). Also, second Turkish LupusPRO tests were given to the patients to be completed within 2-3 days and sent back to us. Internal consistency reliability, test-retest reliability, and convergent and criterion validity (against disease activity or health status) were tested. All reported p values are two-tailed. The conceptual framework of the LupusPRO was evaluated using confirmatory factor analysis appropriate for categorical data. One hundred two SLE subjects (94 % women) were enrolled. The median (IQR) age and mean disease duration (±SD) were 38.5 (18) years and 60.3 (±56.3) months, respectively. The mean ± SD, SLEDAI, and SDI scores were 3.1 ± 3.7 and 0.52 ± 0.75, respectively. There were 25 patients who had flares at the time of study. Forty-two patients with no change in their health status completed and sent back the second LupusPRO test and were included in the test-retest analysis. Test-retest reliability of LupusPRO domains ranged from 0.87 to 0.97, while internal consistency reliability of the domains ranged from 0.63 to 0.94. Convergent validity with corresponding domains of SF-36 was present. Health-related quality-of-life domains performed well against disease activity measures (PGA, total SLEDAI, LFA flare, and SF-6D-overall health status), establishing its criterion validity. Item-to-factor loadings representing the hypothesized item-to-scale relationships were satisfactory. The model fit for the hypothesized item-to-scale relationships was also satisfactory. The Turkish version of the LupusPRO is valid and appears to perform comparably to the English and Spanish language versions. It can be used as a patient-reported outcome parameter in clinical trials, as well as longitudinal studies for testing responsiveness to change.

Measuring lumbar spine range of motion (ROM) using multiple movements is impractical for clinical research, because finding statistically significant effects requires a large proportion of subjects to present with the same impairment. The purpose of this study was to develop a single measure representing the total available lumbar ROM. Twenty participants with low back pain performed three series of eight lumbar spine movements, in each of two sessions. For each series, an ellipse and a cubic spline were fit to the end-range positions, measured based on the position of the twelfth thoracic vertebra in the transverse plane of the sacrum. The area of each shape provides a measure of the total available ROM, whereas their center reflects the movements' symmetry. Using generalizability theory, the index of dependability for the area and anterior-posterior center position was found to be 0.90, but was slightly lower for the mediolateral center position. Slightly better values were achieved using the spline-fitting approach. Further analysis also indicated that excellent reliability, and acceptable minimal detectable change values, would be achieved with a single testing session. These data indicate that the proposed measure provides a reliable and easily interpretable measure of total lumbar spine ROM.

Objective: The LupusPRO, a disease-targeted patient-reported outcome measure, was developed and validated in US patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We report the results of the cross-cultural validation study of the English version of the LupusPRO among patients in Canada with SLE., Method: The LupusPRO was administered to English-speaking Canadian patients with SLE. Demographic, clinical, and serological characteristics were obtained, and the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-36 (SF-36) and LupusPRO were administered. Disease activity was ascertained using the Safety of Estrogens in Lupus Erythematosus National Assessment-Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SELENA-SLEDAI) and the Lupus Foundation of America definition of flare (Yes/No). Damage was assessed using the Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics/American College of Rheumatology Damage Index (SDI). Physician disease activity and damage assessments were also ascertained using visual analog scales. A mail-back LupusPRO form was completed within 2-3 days of the index visit. Items tested were internal consistency reliability (ICR), test-retest reliability (TRT), convergent and discriminant validity (against corresponding domains of the SF-36), criterion validity (against disease activity or health status), and known-groups validity., Results: Participants were 123 Canadian patients with SLE (94% women); mean age was 47.7 (SD 14.8) years. The median (interquartile range) SELENA-SLEDAI and SDI were 4 (6) and 1 (3), respectively. The ICR of the LupusPRO domains ranged from 0.60 to 0.93, while the TRT range was 0.62-0.95. Measures observed were convergent and discriminant validity with corresponding domains of SF-36, criterion validity, and known-groups validity against disease activity, damage, and health status. Confirmatory factor analysis showed a good fit., Conclusion: The LupusPRO has fair psychometric properties among Canadian patients with SLE, and prospective studies to establish minimally important difference are continuing.

Clinical assessment protocols must produce data that are reliable, with a clinically attainable minimal detectable change (MDC). In a reliability study, generalizability theory has 2 advantages over classical test theory. These advantages provide information that allows assessment protocols to be adjusted to match individual patient profiles. First, generalizability theory allows the user to simultaneously consider multiple sources of measurement error variance (facets). Second, it allows the user to generalize the findings of the main study across the different study facets and to recalculate the reliability and MDC based on different combinations of facet conditions. In doing so, clinical assessment protocols can be chosen based on minimizing the number of measures that must be taken to achieve a realistic MDC, using repeated measures to minimize the MDC, or simply based on the combination that best allows the clinician to monitor an individual patient's progress over a specified period of time.

The current study provides a quantitative assessment of three-dimensional spine motion during target-directed trunk movements in sitting. Subjects sat on an elevated surface, without foot support, and targets were placed in five directions, at three subject-specific distances (based on trunk height). Subjects were asked to lean toward the target, touch it with their head, and return to upright sitting. A retro-reflective motion analysis system was used to measure spine motion, using three kinematic trunk models (1, 3 and 7 segments). Significant differences were noted in the total trunk motion measured between the models, as well as between target distances and directions. In the most segmented model, inter-segmental trunk motion was also found to differ between trunk levels, with complex interaction effects involving target distance and direction. These findings suggest that inter-segmental spine motion is complex, task dependent, and often unevenly distributed between spine levels, with motion patterns differing between subjects, even in the absence of pathology. Use of a multi-segmental model provides the most interpretable findings, allowing for differentiation of individual motion patterns of the spine. Such an approach may be beneficial to the understanding of movement-related spine pathologies., (Copyright (c) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To evaluate the neuromuscular strategy adopted during sitting balance on an unstable surface in the frontal plane., Design: Electromyographic evaluation of trunk muscles., Setting: University spine biomechanics laboratory., Participants: Seventy asymptomatic men (mean age, 34.5 y)., Interventions: Not applicable., Main Outcome Measures: "Balancers" and "nonbalancers" were identified by principal component analysis of their lumbar spine side flexion angle during sitting balance. Average electromyographic levels were used as a measure of muscle activation. Pearson correlations were used to identify coactivation versus asymmetrical muscle activation of opposite muscle groups., Results: External oblique, internal oblique, and thoracic erector spinae (TES) were most active, and most likely to be used asymmetrically, with other muscles showing low levels of coactivation. Between groups, the average electromyographic levels in the balancers was lower than in the nonbalancers (P<.05), with further differences in the symmetry of external oblique, internal oblique, and TES activation between groups., Conclusions: Sitting balance in the frontal plane appears to involve a combined feedforward-feedback strategy of muscle activation. Successful balance was characterized by low levels of muscle coactivity, along with higher levels of asymmetric activation in the global trunk muscles, specifically external oblique, internal oblique, and TES.