Lumbar range of motion: influence of time of day and individual factors on measurements.
METHODS
Influence of time of day and individual factors on the measurements of the lumbar range of motion was investigated.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate factors that influence lumbar range of motion.


BACKGROUND
Twenty-nine patients with chronic low back pain participated in the study.


METHODS
The lumbar range of motion was measured by inclinometer technique, Schober sign, modified-Schober sign, and fingertip-to-floor method in the morning, at noon, and in the afternoon. The lumbar range of motion was correlated with patients' gender, age, and body weight.


RESULTS
Total lumbar range of motion measured by the inclinometer technique and the modified-Schober sign increased significantly throughout the day from morning to afternoon. Extension lumbar range of motion was shown to be independent of the time of measurement. There were no significant correlations between lumbar range of motion and gender, age, and body weight of the patients.


CONCLUSIONS
For the reliability of a measurement, it is important to investigate lumbar range of motion at the same time of day.
Ensink
F B
FB
Department of Anesthesiology, Emergency, and Intensive Care Medicine, Georg-August-University Göttingen, Germany.
Saur
P M
PM
Frese
K
K
Seeger
D
D
Hildebrandt
J
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001827:Body Height; D002940:Circadian Rhythm; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D008722:Methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular