Plantar Pressure Distribution Pattern during Mid-Stance Phase of the Gait in Patients with Chronic Non-Specific Low Back Pain
Kiattiporn Anukoolkarn MSc*, Mantana Vongsirinavarat PhD*, Sunee Bovonsunthonchai PhD*, Roongtiwa Vachalathiti PhD*
Affiliation : * Faculty of Physical Therapy, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand
Objective : To examine the characteristics of the plantar pressure distribution patterns during mid-stance phase of the gait
cycle in subjects with chronic non-specific low back pain and asymptomatic subjects.
Material and Method: Twenty-three males and 17 females with chronic non-specific low back pain and age- and
gender-matched asymptomatic subjects walked barefoot along a gait mat at comfortable speed for three trials. The left and
right plantar pressure distributions were recorded during mid-stance phase and divided into 12 areas. Descriptive statistics
including mean and standard deviation of demographic data and plantar pressure were calculated, and plantar pressure
distribution patterns were described.
Results : Mean and standard deviation of numeric pain rating scale of chronic non-specific low back pain group were
4.041.58. The average mean peak pressure of both chronic non-specific low back pain and asymptomatic subjects located
at the fifth area (lateral aspect of forefoot) in both feet. However, the modes of the peak pressure of subjects with chronic
non-specific low back pain were in the different areas in the left and right feet. The distribution patterns of the average
mean peak pressure were not the same in chronic non-specific low back pain and asymptomatic subjects. This altered foot
contact in the subjects with chronic non-specific low back pain may be used to avoid pain or to compensate for limited
mobility of the lower limbs at pre-swing phase.
Conclusion : At mid-stance phase of walking, the pressures on the plantar surface were unequally distributed in subjects
with chronic non-specific low back pain.
Keywords : Plantar pressure, Foot pressure, Low back pain
