Abstract
Variability in trunk torque production has been suggested as a means of detecting submaximal effort in the assessment of chronic low back pain. Several investigations question the validity of using torque variability to detect submaximal efforts in patients with back injuries. However, few investigations have studied the correlates of text-retest torque variability in clinical populations. The present study investigated psychological distress, disability/flexibility/pain, and symptom magnification correlates of test-retest torque variability in chronic low back pain patients. Contrary to previous studies, psychological distress, tendency to report symptoms, and pain were negatively correlated with measures of torque variability. The findings indicate the potential for psychological variables to influence torque production, but on the whole provide little strong support for the use of test-retest torque variability as a means of detecting submaximal performance.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Hazard R, Reid S, Fenwick J, Reeves V. Isokinetic trunk and lifting strength measurements: Variability as an indicator of effor.Spine 1988, 13: 54–57.
Chengalur S, Smith G, Nelson R, Sadoff A. Assessing sincerity of effort in maximal grip strength tests.Am J Phys Med Rehab 1990, 69: 148–153.
Kishino N, Mayer T, Gatchel R, Parrish M, Anderson C, Gustin L, Mooney V. Quantification of lumbar function. Part 4: Isometric and isokinetic lifting simulation in normal subjects and low-back dysfunction patients.Spine 1985, 10: 921–927.
Robinson ME, MacMillan M, O'Connor P, Fuller AK, Cassisi JE. Reproducibility of maximal versus submaximal efforts in an isometric lumbar extension task.J Spinal Dis 1991, 4: 444–448.
Bohannon, RW. Differentiation of maximal from submaximal static elbow flexor efforts by measurement variability.Am J Phys Med 1987; 66: 213–218.
Smith GA, Nelson RC, Sadoff SJ, Sadoff AM. Assessing sincerity of efforts in maximal grip strength tests.Am J Phys Med Rehab 1989, 68: 73–80.
Niehbur B, Marion R. Voluntary control of submaximal grip strength.Am J Phys Med Rehab 1990, 69: 96–101.
McIntyre DR, Glover LH, Conino MC, Seeds RH, Levene JA. A comparison of the characteristics of preferred low-back motion of normal subjects and low-back-pain patients.J Spinal Dis 1991, 4: 90–95.
McIntyre DR, Glover LH, Seeds RH, Levene JA. The characteristics of preferred low-back motion.J Spinal Dis 1990, 3: 147–155.
Hirsch G, Beach G, Cooke C, Menard M, Locke S. Relationship between performance on lumbar dynamometry and waddell score in a population with low-back pain.Spine 1991, 16: 1039–1043.
Papciak AS, Feuerstein M. Psychological factors affecting isokinetic trunk strength testing in patients with work-related chronic low back pain.J Occup Rehab 1991, 1: 95–104.
Robinson ME, Greene AF, O'Connor PD, Graves JE, MacMillan M. Reliability of lumbar isometric strength in chronic low back pain patients.Phys Ther 1992, 72: 186–190.
Robinson ME, Cassisi JE, O'Connor PD, MacMillan M. Lumbar iEMG during isotonic exercise: Chronic low back pain patients versus controls.J Spinal Dis 1992, 5: 8–15.
Gaskin ME, Greene AF, Robinson ME, Geisser ME. Negative affect and the experience of chronic pain.J Psychosom Res (in press).
Geisser ME, Gaskin ME, Robinson ME, Greene AF. Pain threshold, pain tolerance and somatic focus in depressed and non-depressed chronic pain patients. Abstract presented at the 10th Annual Scientific Meeting of the American Pain Society, New Orleans, November 7–10, 1991.
Melzack, R. The McGill Pain Questionnaire: Major properties and scoring methods.Pain 1975, 1: 277–279.
Beck A,Depression: Causes and treatment, Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press, 1972.
Spielberger CD, Gorsuch RL, Lushene R.Manual for the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. Palo Alto, California: Consulting Psychologists Press, 1970.
Spielberger CD.State-Anger Expression Inventory: Research edition. Odessa, Florida: Psychological Assessment Resources, 1988.
Bergner M, Bobbitt RA, Pollard WE, Martin DP, Gilson BS. The sickness impact profile: Validation of a health status measure.Med Care 1976, 14: 57–67.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Robinson, M.E., O'Connor, P.D., MacMillan, M. et al. Physical and psychosocial correlates of test-retest isometric torque variability in patients with chronic low back pain. J Occup Rehab 2, 11–18 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01078928
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01078928