Postural sway of elderly subjects with chronic low back pain during local vibratory stimulation for proprioception

[Purpose] To clarify the changes in body sway of elderly subjects with chronic low back pain induced by the application of local vibratory stimulus. [Subjects and Methods] Twenty-eight elderly subjects with chronic low back pain who had been hospitalized for lumbar disorders. Postural sway was measured with vibration applied to the left and right gastrocnemius and paraspinal muscles of 30, 60, and 240 Hz. center of pressure (COP) was compared among the frequencies, and the relationships of COP, pain measured on a visual analog scale (VAS), spinal muscle strength, and the cross-sectional area of the paraspinal muscles at each frequency were investigated. [Results] At 240 Hz vibration applied to the paraspinal muscles, COP postural control was shown only in anterior movement. VAS and spinal muscle strength showed moderate correlations with COP at vibrations applied to the paraspinal muscles of 60 Hz and 240 Hz, respectively. [Conclusion] With respect to trunk proprioception, it is necessary to perform assessments using various proprioceptive stimuli.