Assessment of Modified-modified Schober Test and Lomber Range of Motion in Patients with Parkinson's Disease with and Without Low Back Pain

Objective: We aimed to evaluate the relationship between low back pain (LBP) in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) and its effects on the activities of daily living of the patients. We also observed the correlation between LBP and spinal mobility tests. Materials and Methods: The study included 55 patients with PD, 39 males and 16 females, in Hoenh Yahr stage I-IV with an average age of 63 +/- 5 (range, 38-82). We included age- and sex- matched 20 healthy controls who had no orthopedic disease, with a mean age of 65 +/- 7 (range, 35-87). All participants had lomber magnetic resonance imaging co exclude disc or other degenerative pathologies. The modified-modified schober test (MMST), lumbar flexion and extension range of motion (ROM) measurement were applied for assessment of spinal mobility. Lomber flexion and extension ROM was assessed by using a universal goniometry. In addition, Roland Morris disability questionnaire (RMDQ), the Oswestry disability index (ODI), visual analogue scale for pain (VAS), the unified Parkinson's disease rating scale (UPDRS), activities of daily living scale (ADLs), fatigue severity scale and Beck's depression inventory were applied to patients. Spinal mobility and test results of patients and controls were compared. Results: We found that the values of MMST, and flexion and extension ROM were significantly decreased in the patient group compared to controls (p<0.05). The Hoehn Yahr stage, UPDRS, RMDQ, ODI and VAS values were higher and MMST results were lower in patients with LBP than patients without LBP. In the multivariate analysis, the presence of LBP did not correlate with any of the parameters including age, sex, duration of disease, dominant symptom, ADL, depression, and fatigue severity. Conclusion: The current study showed that as the clinical disability worsened, the complaints of LBP increased and spinal mobility test results decreased. Questioning and adequately treating pain could permit a better quality of life to patients with PD.