| Abstract [eng] |
The aim of research work: To evaluate pain intensity, fear of movement, gait parameters, flexibility, and disability level in individuals with chronic low back pain, as well as to examine the interrelationships among these factors and the differences between men and women. Objectives: To assess participants' pain intensity, fear of movement, flexibility, and gait parameters. To examine the relationships between pain intensity, fear of movement, flexibility, disability, and gait parameters. To evaluate sex differences in pain intensity, fear of movement, flexibility, gait, and disability indicators. Materials and methods. The study was carried out between December 2023 and June 2024 at Pašilaičiai Family Medical Center. A total of 40 participants (24 women, 16 men) with an average age of 40.0 ± 12.6 years were included using convenience sampling. All participants signed informed consent and underwent a cross-sectional assessment, completing questionnaires (Google Forms, in person) and physical tests. The tools used: Numerical Rating Scale (NRS), Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia (TSK), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). Functional performance was assessed using the 10-Meter Walk Test (normal and max speed), step length, Timed Up and Go (TUG), 3-Meter Backward Walk Test (3MBWT), and Sit and Reach test. Data analysis was conducted using IBM SPSS Statistics and Excel 2016. Descriptive statistics, Kolmogorov–Smirnov tests, Pearson/Spearman correlations, t-tests, and multiple regression were applied (significance level p < 0.05). Results. Participants had moderate pain (mean = 4.8), moderate kinesiophobia (mean = 39.6), and moderate disability (mean = 28.2). Gait and flexibility scores indicated reduced functional ability. Significant negative correlations were found between kinesiophobia and gait speed/step length. Disability was strongly correlated with gait performance; flexibility showed associations with several functional measures. Pain intensity showed weak correlations. Regression revealed TSK and ODI as significant predictors of function, while pain and flexibility mostly were not. Women had higher kinesiophobia and flexibility; men had longer step length. Other sex differences were not significant. Conclusions: The participants with chronic lower back pain exhibited moderate pain intensity, a moderate level of kinesiophobia, and moderate disability. Gait indicators and flexibility results showed reduced functional capacity compared to healthy individuals. The study found that kinesiophobia and disability were moderately to strongly correlated with most walking tests, while flexibility was associated with walking speed, step length, and disability. Pain intensity was not related to kinesiophobia or walking speed, despite initial expectations. This suggests that pain level alone is not sufficient to predict functional status or psychological responses — such associations may depend on other factors, such as individual experience, pain duration, or coping strategies. When evaluating sex differences, women showed higher levels of kinesiophobia and better flexibility, while men had longer step lengths. No statistically significant sex differences were found in other indicators of functional or psychological status. |
