PLANTAR CUTANEOUS SENSATION AND POSTURAL CONTROL IN NSCLBP: A CASE-CONTROL STUDY

Objective: Postural control deficits and reduced physical performance are well documented in non-specific chronic low back pain (NSCLBP); however, it remains uncertain whether impairment of plantar cutaneous sensation contributes meaningfully to these disturbances. This study, therefore, aimed to investigate the association between plantar sensory function, postural balance, and functional performance in patients with NSCLBP relative to healthy controls. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional case-control design was employed, and data were collected at a single center. The sample comprised 30 individuals diagnosed with NSCLBP and 30 age- and sex-matched healthy volunteers. Plantar light touch-pressure (Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments), vibration (128 Hz diapason), and two-point discrimination (esthesiometer) thresholds were measured at standardized plantar regions. Static balance (one-leg stance test with eyes-open and eyes-closed), dynamic balance (Y balance test in the anterior, posteromedial, and posterolateral directions), and physical performance [timed up and go test (TUG)] were assessed. Pain (10-point visual analog scale), disability (Oswestry disability index), and depression (Beck depression inventory) were recorded. Between-group comparisons and correlations between plantar sensation measures and balance and functional outcomes were analyzed. Results: Compared with healthy controls, NSCLBP patients demonstrated poorer plantar sensory function, reduced static and dynamic balance performance, and longer TUG durations (all p<0.05). In the NSCLBP group, plantar sensory measures were significantly correlated with postural balance and physical performance on the dominant side (p<0.05). Conclusion: Decreased plantar cutaneous sensation was significantly associated with impaired postural balance and functional performance in NSCLBP. Plantar sensory testing may therefore represent an additional clinical parameter in the evaluation of these patients and help guide individualized conservative rehabilitation strategies.