Research Unit 5177 - Dynamics of the spine 

Meta menu:

From here, you can access the Emergencies page, Contact Us page, Accessibility Settings, Language Selection, and Search page.

Open Menu

Subprojects of the FOR 5177

To address the aims and core hypotheses, we defined seven complementary subprojects. To empower a structured approach, they are divided into projects that characterize the large range of physiological profiles and pathologies in larger cohorts (sub-projects 1-3), test the hypotheses in interventional studies (sub-projects 4-5), and link the hypotheses to a more mechanistic understanding of the underlying aspects that drive LBP (sub-projects 6-7).

 

 

 

You are here:

Subproject 1 - Dynamics of posture, shape, and motion of asymptomatic subjects and LBP patients in daily life activities

The current clinical “gold standard” for measuring spinal shape and motion (radiological “snap-shots” obtained during upright standing, upper-body flexion and extension postures) should be questioned. Despite their importance in current treatment decision-making, such static information lacks relevance in determining body posture and spinal shape and motion in daily life.

More Information
Subproject 2 - Musculoskeletal simulations towards a subject-specific spino-pelvic load transfer prediction

Based on our worldwide, unique in vivo telemetric measurements of spinal and hip loads, we developed validated musculoskeletal models. With these models, we aim to decode the interrelation between spino-pelvic (mal-)alignment (Morphology) and the resulting spinal loads (Mechanics).

More information
Subproject 4 - Correlation between lumbar spinal performance and clinical outcomes after spine treatment in LBP patients

Systematic reviews show that the effects of most non-surgical treatments for chronic low back pain (LBP) patients are rather limited and that only physical exercise interventions lead to consistent treatment success in terms of LBP prevalence and associated disability. Nevertheless, there is no evidence that a particular type of exercise intervention is more effective than others. This leads to the concept that exercise interventions should focus on targeted subgroups of LBP patients and should thus address specific factors of LBP in order to provide efficient, subject-specific treatment.

More information
Subproject 5 - Physical activity and psychosocial characteristics of asymptomatic subjects and low back pain patients in real life

Low back pain (LBP) is the most prevalent disabling health complaint worldwide. The understanding of this disorder and its prevention and treatment success remain limited because a basic mechanistic understanding of the inter-relationship between spinal structure/motion and their association with pain and health behavior (i.e., physical activity, PA) is rare, and because previous LBP research has usually applied single occasion designs lacking relevance in determining risk factors in real life.

More Information
Subproject 6 - Influence of local tissue injuries, repair and degeneration on spinal Morphology, Mechanics and Motion in a large animal model

Spinal surgery is often performed to treat patients suffering from low back pain. However, results are variable and not always satisfactory. Surgical approaches induce a change in the kinematic of the spine and the load distribution within the different spinal structures, which have been shown to lead to degenerative processes in adjacent structures.

More information
Subproject 7 - In vivo mechanical loading and tissue adaptation in vertebrae: Inflammation, pain and opioid effects

To allow for mechanistic analyses of the interplay of lumbar spine morphology, mechanical loading and movement on the one side and resulting inflammation and pain on the other, we will use an in vivo mouse model. We will employ an established vertebral loading protocol that allows axial compression of the spine exposed to different shapes, identify the local tissue and inflammatory reaction and – for the first time – modulate pain by opioid receptor activation.

More information
Subproject 8 - Multidimensional analytical approaches to improve LBP diagnosis and prognosis

This sub-project utilises methods from artificial intelligence, machine learning and statistics to jointly analyse the research group’s diverse data. The aim is to identify different forms and sub-groups of chronic lower back pain and to develop personalised models for their diagnosis and prognosis. In doing so, physical, structural and psychosocial characteristics are linked together to contribute, in the long term, to more precise and personalised diagnostics.

More information
Central Service Project - The Dynamics of the Spine, Mechanics, Morphology and Movement

Low back pain (LBP) represents an overwhelming social and economic burden to society with a constantly increasing number of patients suffering and requiring surgical or non-surgical treatment. The success rates of current clinical treatments for LBP vary considerably, indicating a lack of basic understanding of the underlying mechanisms of disease onset, progression and therapeutic modulation.

More information