Comparison of diaphragmatic excursion during functional tasks with external load in subjects with and without nonspecific chronic low back pain: an observational study
Abstract
Objective: To compare diaphragmatic excursion during functional tasks with external load between subjects with nonspecific chronic low back pain (nsCLBP) and healthy subjects.
Materials and methods: An observational, analytical, prospective, and cross-sectional study was conducted. Subjects were selected using non-probability convenience sampling based on the calculated sample size. The main inclusion criterion was a clinical medical diagnosis of nsCLBP. Ultrasonography was used to assess diaphragmatic excursion during functional tasks involving the lifting, with the upper limbs, of an external load equivalent to 10 % and 20 % of body weight, while maintaining tidal breathing.
Results: The study included 80 subjects, distributed into an nsCLBP group (n = 40) and an asymptomatic control group (n = 40). Mean diaphragmatic excursion values differed between groups.. During the assessment with loads equivalent to 20 % of body weight, subjects with nsCLBP showed a reduction in diaphragmatic excursion (20.11 mm; SD 6.73) compared with the control group (29.31 mm; SD 6.35) (p-value=0.001). In contrast, with loads equivalent to 10 % of body weight, no statistically significant differences were observed (p-value = 0.39), despite a decreasing trend.
Conclusion: Subjects with nsCLBP showed a decrease in diaphragmatic excursion values, with a greater change as external load increased.
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