Dynamic balance as measured by the Y-Balance Test is reduced in individuals with low back pain: A cross-sectional comparative study.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the effects of current LBP (cLBP) and LBP history (hxLBP) on Y-Balance Test (YBT) reach and establish relationships between YBT performance and demographic, behavioral, and disability measures.

DESIGN: Cross-sectional comparative study.

SETTING: Research laboratory.

PARTICIPANTS: Forty-two participants (24 males, 18 females) aged 18-50 years (30.9 ± 8.2 yr) in three groups: cLBP, hxLBP, and healthy controls.

INTERVENTIONS: Three YBT trials in anterior (ANT), posterolateral (PL), and posteromedial (PM) directions.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: YBT reach (relative to leg length) was measured and compared amongst groups. Pearson correlations were calculated between reach distances and pain, disability, and fear avoidance scores in the cLBP and hxLBP groups and age and activity level in all participants.

RESULTS: For PL reach, cLBP (94.7 ± 10.6 cm) and hxLBP (94.2 ± 9.2 cm) groups demonstrated shorter distances versus controls (105.8 ± 6.6 cm). For PM reach, cLBP (100.7 ± 8.4 cm) and hxLBP (102.3 ± 7.6 cm) groups' distances were shorter versus controls (109.3 ± 6.7 cm). No significant difference was found for ANT reach (control = 66.4 ± 7.0 cm; cLBP = 66.2 ± 6.2 cm; hxLBP = 66.4 ± 3.1 cm). No significant correlations were identified.

CONCLUSION: YBT performance is reduced in individuals with cLBP and hxLBP in the PL and PM directions but not ANT. The YBT is useful for measuring balance deficits in these populations.