The effect of physical impairment on low back pain and disability on mothers of children with and without neuromuscular disorders

Introduction: Physical impairments such as inadequacy of muscle strength, endurance and flexibility may be lead to low back pain. The aim of this study was to compare of the effect of physical impairment on low back pain and disability on mothers of children with and without neuromuscular disorders. Methods: Mothers of children with muscular dystrophies (Group I, n = 30) and mothers of healthy children (Group II, n = 30) participated to the study. The mother muscle strength of trunk flexion and extension, flexibility of trunk extension and lateral flexion, and endurance of abdominal muscles were assessed. Body mass index of the mothers and children were recorded. Low back pain was assessed by Oswestry low back pain disability questionnaire (OLBQDS) and visual analogue scale (VAS). Results: There were positive correlations between children's body mass index, OLBQDS scores and VAS of mothers in both groups. A negative correlation was found between muscle strengths, flexibility and VAS in Group II. There were statistically significant differences in muscle strength, endurance and flexibility between the two groups.