The primary aims of this proposal are to determine how physical and psychological factors interact in the recovery process following an initial episode of low back pain and to determine how these factors contribute to risk for recurrence. Specifically, we propose to assess the relationship between motor coordination strategies (changes in lumbar and pelvic movement patterns) and levels of kinesiophobia (fear of painful re-injury upon physical movement) following an initial episode of low back pain. Two studies are proposed. ? Study 1 will examine movement patterns during performance of standardized reaching tasks in low back pain patients with high versus low levels of kinesiophobia. Participants will be assessed at 3, 6, and 12 weeks after onset of symptoms to track changes in motor coordination. By examining the relative magnitude of lumbar and pelvic motions used by low back pain patients who are high and low kinesiophobia, this design will allow us to track changes in the dynamic relationship between motor coordination and kinesiophobia during the process of recovery from acute low back pain. We hypothesize that lumbar motion will be significantly reduced in low back pain patients who are high versus low in kinesiophobia. ? Study 2 will examine movement patterns during standardized reaching tasks in individuals who have recently recovered from low back pain. Using a longitudinal design, we will develop a survival model to assess the risk for recurrence in the year following an initial episode of low back pain based on measures of spinal motion and kinesiophobia. We hypothesize that the highest risk of recurrent back pain will be observed in those who are high in kinesiophobia and who exhibit reduced spinal motion. ? The current proposal brings together promising ideas from motor coordination and health psychology literatures to provide an innovative integration of the best predictors of recurrent low back pain. The short-term goal of this research is characterize how spinal motion parameters and kinesiophobia interact to promote or delay recovery from acute low back pain. Our long-term goal is to use this information to develop an assessment protocol that can be easily adopted into clinical practice. ? ?

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development (NICHD)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
1R01HD045512-01A1
Application #
6821835
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-MOSS-B (02))
Program Officer
Shinowara, Nancy
Project Start
2004-07-01
Project End
2008-04-30
Budget Start
2004-07-01
Budget End
2005-04-30
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2004
Total Cost
$405,604
Indirect Cost
Name
Ohio University Athens
Department
Other Health Professions
Type
Other Domestic Higher Education
DUNS #
041077983
City
Athens
State
OH
Country
United States
Zip Code
45701
Sha, Daohang; Thomas, James S (2015) An optimisation-based model for full-body upright reaching movements. Comput Methods Biomech Biomed Engin 18:847-60
Trost, Zina; France, Christopher R; Sullivan, Michael J et al. (2012) Pain-related fear predicts reduced spinal motion following experimental back injury. Pain 153:1015-21
Trost, Zina; France, Christopher R; Thomas, James S (2011) Pain-related fear and avoidance of physical exertion following delayed-onset muscle soreness. Pain 152:1540-7
Johnson, Erica N; Thomas, James S (2010) Effect of hamstring flexibility on hip and lumbar spine joint excursions during forward-reaching tasks in participants with and without low back pain. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 91:1140-2
Sha, Daohang; France, Christopher R; Thomas, James S (2010) Mechanical energy expenditures and movement efficiency in full body reaching movements. J Appl Biomech 26:32-44
Russ, David W; Ruggeri, Rachel G; Thomas, James S (2009) Central activation and force-frequency responses of the lumbar extensor muscles. Med Sci Sports Exerc 41:1504-9
Clagg, Sarah E; Warnock, Angela; Thomas, James S (2009) Kinetic analyses of maximal effort soccer kicks in female collegiate athletes. Sports Biomech 8:141-53
France, Christopher R; Taddio, Anna; Shah, Vibhuti S et al. (2009) Maternal family history of hypertension attenuates neonatal pain response. Pain 142:189-93
Thomas, James S; France, Christopher R; Lavender, Steven A et al. (2008) Effects of fear of movement on spine velocity and acceleration after recovery from low back pain. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 33:564-70
Thomas, James S; France, Christopher R; Sha, Daohang et al. (2008) The influence of pain-related fear on peak muscle activity and force generation during maximal isometric trunk exertions. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 33:E342-8

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