Correlation between arch height index and low back pain among primary school teachers: an observational study

Low Back Pain (LBP) is the leading cause of disability among primary school teachers. Alterations in the Arch Height Index (AHI) can influence the lumbo-pelvic kinematics and leads to low back pain in teachers.

To find out the association between Arch Height Index (AHI) and Low Back Pain (LBP) among primary school teachers.

For this observational study, 178 primary school teachers aged 25–35 years with chronic low back pain were included. After the anthropometric measurements, standardized procedure i.e. Visual analog scale (VAS) to measure the pain intensity and Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Questionnaire for disability due to LBP were used. Arch height index of the MLA was evaluated the by the Navicular Drop Test.

Kolmogorv-Smirnov test was used to check the normality of the data. Non- parametric test i.e. Spearman Rank Correlation Coefficient was used to find out the correlation between Arch Height Index (AHI) and Low back pain (LBP). Values of the VAS and disability % of left and right foot were analysed.

Arch Height Index of right foot (ρ=.290) (p<0.05) had fair positive relation with disability. Arch Height Index of left foot (ρ=.266) (p<0.05) also had fair positive relation with disability. No to little correlation was found between AHI of right foot (ρ=.023) (p>0.05) and VAS. Whereas a negative correlation was found between AHI of left foot (ρ = -.011) (p>0.05) and VAS. Conclusion: Researchers concluded that the any deviations in ankle and foot can be considered a potential cause for LBP as there is disruption in the kinetic chain from the foot to the lumbar spine. However, more research is required to determine the association between Arch Height Index and LBP among primary school teachers because of their workplace conditions.