Learning Zone

Pain and especially movement-related pain is a strong stimulus to change the way we move. Consequently, differences in motor control between patients with low-back pain and healthy controls can be expected. However, studies show that these changes are not very inconsistent; large variance exists in findings on motor control between studies and between patients within studies. The theoretical approach I take in my research is to consider changes in motor control in low-back pain as outcomes of a learning process under the influence of pain and pain-related cognitions. This theory yields quite specific predictions that are largely in line with empirical observations, but that require further testing. In this webinar, I will outline this theory, describe motor control changes that we and others have observed in patients with low-back pain and finally I will discuss clinical implications.