Adaptive changes in postural strategy selection in chronic low back pain

Chronic low back pain (CLBP) patients achieve postural stability during challenging stance conditions by increasing sway speed. We investigated the mechanisms underlying this behavior, and whether postural strategy selection may be influenced by short-term experience of postural perturbation. Thirteen CLBP patients and thirteen age-matched controls underwent posturography tests. Subjects were asked to stand quietly: (a) with eyes open and eyes closed, and (b) while expecting a series of four backward translations of the support surface. Data from condition (a) was subjected to sway density analysis (SDA). This computes the number of consecutive spaces and respectively time samples during which center of pressure (COP) displacements remained inside a 2.5 mm radius. Three parameters of this analysis were considered: the mean number of peaks (MP), reflecting the time spent by COP in regions of stability, the mean time between peaks (MT) relating to the rate of production of posturographic commands, and the mean spatial distance (MD), reflecting the distance between stable regions. In condition (b) the mean COP positions were analyzed during the time (500 ms) preceding each translation. The MD was significantly increased in the CLBP group as compared to controls (P < 0.01), while the MP and MT did not present any significant difference. The expectation of backward translations initially produced a different COP positioning between the two groups (P < 0.0001) which decreased with repetition of platform translations (controls: P1-4 < 0.002; patients: P1-4 < 0.005). The findings show that the timing and the rate of the balance motor commands is comparable between the two groups. On the other hand, there is greater distance between regions of stability in the patient group. Such modification of motor control patterns might be the consequence of a reweighting of sensory input, possibly due to a deterioration of its reliability. Platform translation findings show that both groups aimed at optimizing their posture selection strategy based on prior testing experience. CLBP patients make use of a different postural motor strategy to maintain quiet stance. This is probably the consequence of an imprecise internal estimate of body sway, due to reduced accuracy in the sensory integration process.