Biomechanical and psychosocial factors in low back pain
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Biomechanical and psychosocial factors influence in the development and persistence of low back pain.
IRAS ID
214143
Contact name
Alison McGregor
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Imperial College London and Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Low back pain (LBP) is a widespread condition and in most developed countries represents a major occupational health problem. It is associated with reduced mobility and functional impairments, and thus negatively affects the quality of life of patients suffering from it. However, there remains a lack of clear consensus in assessment/diagnostic criteria and hence effective treatment options.
Repetitive and prolonged stresses on the spine due to activities such as lifting, bending, extended sitting or standing have been related to the occurrence of LBP and psychosocial factors (i.e. job satisfaction, fear avoidance, job control, perceived workload, pain beliefs) have been associated to its development and persistence.
In this study, we seek to investigate the link between psychosocial factors and spinal function in people suffering from LBP and healthy controls to gain a better understanding of LBP with a view to identifying objective measures that could be used to target rehabilitation therapies and prevent acute conditions from becoming chronic.
We will recruit people without pain and people with acute, recurrent (sparse episodes over time) and chronic (persistent pain over time) LBP. We will use a laboratory based motion tracking system to assess participants’ function while they perform activities of daily living. These will include walking, getting off a chair and lifting up a box in the laboratory. We will carry out three assessments with low back pain participants over one year follow-up period and one assessment with healthy controls. Self-administered questionnaires will also be used to assess pain related fear of movement, perceived pain, anxiety, pain catastrophizing attitude and general wellbeing.REC name
North West - Preston Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/NW/0668
Date of REC Opinion
30 Nov 2017
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion