Published Paper Details:

INTRODUCTION-Chronic non-specific low back pain (CNSLBP) brought on by acute or chronic lumbar diseases can affect the way the body is built and how it moves and functions, resulting in decreased mobility, endurance, and muscle strength. CNSLBP can affect balance and proprioception which eventually can have a huge impact on quality of life as well as fear of fall in the patients. So, it is necessary to assess these components in patients having chronic non-specific low back pain using appropriate method. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To determine the association of balance and lumbar proprioception with quality of life and fear of fall in patients with chronic non-specific low back pain. METHODOLOGY: In the present correlational study, total 46 patients with chronic non-specific low back pain with age between 20-45 years were included. Sample size calculated was 42, with a drop out chances of 10%, the total sample size was 46. Patients were evaluated for static balance (EO and EC), anticipatory balance and dynamic balance using Unipedal Stance Test (UPST), Functional Reach Test (FRT) and Five Times Sit To Stand Test (FTSTS Test) respectively. Lumbar proprioception was assessed by Joint Repositioning Error method (JRE). Quality of life and fear of fall were assessed using 12- item Short Form Survey questionnaire and Fall Efficacy Scale- International (FES - I) questionnaire respectively. Statistical analysis was done by using SPSS 26.0 version. Significance level was set at p<=0.05. RESULT: The study was conducted on 46 subjects with 23 male and 23 female having chronic non-specific low back pain. The data were ensured for their normal distribution using the Shapiro-Wilk Test. Pearson Correlation test as the parametric test was performed to see the relationship between all the variables and it showed that there were significant correlation i.e. either negative or positive correlation present between all the variables. There was a positive correlation present between balance and quality of life as well as with fear of fall. Whereas, there was a negative correlation present between lumbar proprioception with quality of life but positive correlation with fear of fall. CONCLUSION: So, study concluded that there was significant association found between balance with quality of life and fear of fall, signifying more the balance score less will be the fear of fall and improved quality of life. Also, lumbar proprioception was associated with quality of life and fear of fall showing that less the pelvic tilt, less there will be the risk of fall and hence, improved quality of life.