The relationship of lumbar flexion to disability in patients with low back pain

The relationship of lumbar flexion to disability in patients with low back pain,  by M Scott Sullivan , Lisa Donegan Shoaf and Daniel L Riddle (Physical Therapy March 2000 vol. 80 no. 3 240-250)
is an interesting study
method
Patients completed the Roland-Morris Back Pain Questionnaire (RMQ), and the therapists assessed lumbar spine flexion AROM (active range of motion) using a dual-inclinometer technique at the initial visit and again at discharge.
Conclusion
Measures of lumbar flexion AROM should not be used as surrogate measures of disability. Lumbar spine flexion AROM and disability are weakly correlated, suggesting that flexion AROM measures should not be used as treatment goals.
Free full study here. it “sort of” breaks the link between spine mobility and future back trouble.
The study also draws some very interesting observations about therapist biases
As always,  this gives us another crop of references to follow up

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