The purpose of the present study was to quantitatively assess the characteristics of lumbar spine motor function in patients with LSS who experienced falls and to determine the association between falls and lumbar spine motion.
This cross-sectional study enrolled consecutive patients with clinically and radiologically defined LSS indicated for surgical treatment at a single center. The lumbar motion task consisted of bending forward to the maximum range of motion of the lumbar spine in the standing position, followed by a return to the upright position. The angle and speed of lumbar spine motion during the participants' lumbar spine motion task were recorded using a flexible twin-axis electrogoniometer (SG150, Biometrics Ltd.). Phase 1 (lumbar forward bending phase) began when the lumbar flexion velocity exceeded 15°/s (i.e., the onset of movement) and ended when the lumbar forward bending velocity reached its peak value. Phase 2 (lumbar forward bending/extension transition phase) began at the time of peak lumbar flexion velocity and ended when peak lumbar extension velocity was reached. Phase 3 (lumbar extension phase) began at the point of peak lumbar extension velocity and ended when the participant returned to an upright posture. The total movement duration was defined as Phase 1 + Phase 2 + Phase 3. The occurrence of falls in the past year was recorded. Binomial logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate the association between falls and lumbar spine motion while using basic characteristics, general fall risk assessment, and known fall-related factors in patients with LSS as adjustment variables.
A total of 102 participants were enrolled, with 43 participants in the faller group (42.2%). In the lumbar spine motion evaluation, fallers took significantly longer to complete phases 2 (p = 0.022), 3 (p = 0.011), and the total movement (p = 0.008) compared to non-fallers. In the binomial logistic regression analysis, delayed lumbar spine motion was associated with falls in patients with LSS (odds ratio, 2.56; 95% confidence interval, 1.09-6.03).
The results of this study provide evidence that delayed lumbar spine motion is associated with the occurrence of falls in the past year in patients with LSS. It may be useful to add quantitative assessments of lumbar spine motion as part of a fall risk assessment for patients with LSS.
The results of this study may have implications for fall prevention by improving fall risk assessment in patients with LSS.
lumbar spine motion
fall
