Student Presenter(s): Marichelle Renee Pita
Faculty Mentor: Jayme Mancini
Department: Clinical Sciences
School/College: College of Osteopathic Medicine, Long Island

Background: The prevalence of chronic low back pain (LBP) and impaired single leg balance (SLB) in osteopathic medical students (OMS) is unclear. In this study, we investigated the impact of research participation on OMS’ understanding of chronic LBP.

Objective: To investigate the impact of participating in a prevalence study on OMS’ understanding of chronic LBP exam and management.

Methods: During a laboratory session, OMS completed worksheets while examining their partners. Innominate diagnoses named by OMS were classified as correct or incorrect. In OMS with correct diagnoses, we calculated the prevalence of sacroiliac and pubic shears, chronic LBP, and failed SLB.

Results: When asked if the study improved their understanding of chronic LBP management, self-completed responses from 99 OMS were 50.5% “Yes, definitely,” 40.4% “Somewhat,” and 3% “Not at all.” Innominates were correctly diagnosed in 80.8%. In this group, 23.8% had chronic LBP and 15% failed SLB. In OMS who failed SLB, there were 75% rotations and 25% shears.

Discussion: The results suggest that OMS believed their understanding of chronic LBP improved through this study. In failed SLB, innominate rotations were more prevalent than shears. Though no identifiers were collected, social desirability bias may limit this study. Inaccurate anatomical landmark identification may be another limiting factor. Future studies could determine which other joint dysfunctions affect SLB and include OMS from several schools.