Execution
- 1Explain that the task is to move the hips or limbs while keeping the lumbar spine controlled.
- 2Observe the waiter’s bow, pelvic tilt, one-leg stance, sitting knee extension, prone knee bend, and supine knee extension tasks.
- 3Watch for unwanted lumbar flexion, extension, rotation, lateral shift, or pelvic compensation.
- 4Score each test as correct or incorrect according to visible movement-control failure.
- 5Total failed tests and compare the pattern with pain behavior and functional complaints.
Positive outcome
The screen is positive when the patient fails multiple movement-control tests through uncontrolled lumbar or pelvic motion. A higher number of failed tests suggests poorer lumbar movement control. It does not diagnose a specific structural lesion.
Studies
| Study | Reliability | Sn | Sp | LR+ | LR− |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Luomajoki et al. (2007) | κ > 0.6 for several tests | NA | NA | NA | NA |
| Luomajoki et al. (2008) — case-control discrimination study | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA |
CommentThe Luomajoki battery is useful for identifying a movement-control impairment subgroup in nonspecific low back pain. It has reliability and discrimination evidence, but it is not a diagnostic test for a single pathology. Use the failed directions to guide exercise selection and reassessment.
Low Clinical Value