Comparing Y-Balance Test Between Chronic Low Back Pain and Healthy People; a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Publisher



Malmir K¹ ; Ashrafganjooie M²
Source: Sport Sciences for Health Published:2023

Abstract

Background: The effects of chronic low back pain (LBP) on the Y-Balance test (YBT) remains controversial. Aims: To analyze the literature to evaluate the effects of chronic LBP on the YBT with respect to the level of physical activity. Methods: Cross-sectional studies reporting YBT measures in individuals with chronic LBP compared to healthy individuals were searched using PubMed, Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, PEDro, and Scopus databases. There were no limits to the publication dates. Two independent reviewers extracted the data and assessed the risk of bias using the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Checklist. Results: Eight cross-sectional studies were included, including 157 individuals with chronic LBP and 167 healthy individuals. A significant difference was determined for the reach distance between the chronic LBP and healthy groups for the posterolateral (SDM = − 0.62; P = 0.00007) and posteromedial (SDM = − 0.44; P = 0.01) directions as well as composite scores (SDM = − 0.56; P = 0.01). The reach distance in the anterior direction did not change significantly (SDM = − 0.26; P = 0.10). The subgroup analysis revealed a significant difference in outcomes only in the minimally physically active subgroup. Five studies (62.5%) were rated as high-quality, and 3 studies (37.5%) were rated as moderate quality. Most of the studies (75%) presented a low risk of bias. Conclusions: Anterior reaching was the least sensitive measure of the YBT in individuals with chronic LBP. The reach distance and composite score of the YBT were affected only in the minimally physically active individuals regardless of whether the dominant or non-dominant side was tested. Registration: The protocol of this review and meta-analysis was registered at PROSPERO (CRD42022314475). Available from: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42022314475. © 2023, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag Italia S.r.l., part of Springer Nature.