Year: 2024 | Month: March | Volume: 14 | Issue: 3 | Pages: 20-25
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijhsr.20240304
Effect of Chronic Low Back Pain on PEFR and Chest Expansion
Dr. Sweety Shah1, Namya Anandkumar Shah2
1PG Guide, SBB College of Physiotherapy, Gujarat University, Ahmedabad, India.
2Post Graduate Student, SBB College of Physiotherapy, Gujarat University, Ahmedabad, India.
Corresponding Author: Namya Shah
ABSTRACT
Background: Chronic low back pain (cLBP) is when symptoms last more than 12 weeks. In cLBP, there is weakness of core muscle which in turn reduces the respiratory effort. The strength of the abdominal muscle is found to assist in prolonging as well as forceful expiration. Diaphragm also plays a role in spinal stability.
Aims: To evaluate the PEFR and chest expansion in patients with cLBP.
Settings and Design: An observational study was conducted in individuals of 18-65 years of both genders having backpain for more than 3 months of Ahmedabad. Patients with history of pulmonary diseases, any history of trauma or lumbar spine pathology such as infection or tumour were excluded.
Methods and Materials: Test procedure of PEFR and Chest expansion were explained and were taken by peak flow meter and non-stretchable inch tape respectively.
Results: Paired t-test was done to compare the predicted values of PEFR and Chest expansion values to actual PEFR and Chest expansion of cLBP patients.
Results: Mean age, BMI, PEFR, CE at 2nd,4th ICS and xiphoid of males are (44.61±13.24),(22.26±1.31),(380.55±52.86),(1.78±0.48),(2.29±0.38) and(2.59±0.26) & females are (45.09±12.73),(22.67±1.66),(277.812±40.38),(1.58±0.42),(1.77±0.36) and (2.00±0.32). Predicted values of PEFR and CE for males are (463.222±35.95),(2.69±0.38),(2.7±0.41),(3.03±0.36) and for females are (306.13±26.32),(2.02±0.28),(2.03±0.21),(2.22±0.15). Values of PEFR and chest expansion have shown statistical difference (p<.05) from predicted values in both males and females.
Conclusions: There is reduction of PEFR and chest expansion values in the patients with cLBP. It may be due to the abdominals weakness and greater diaphragm fatigability in cLBP.
Key words: PEFR, chest expansion, chronic low back pain, diaphragm fatigability