Abstract

Background: The gait speed test has been widely used for evaluating low back pain. However, limited information is available on the factors that possibly influence the test results. This study aimed to investigate the influence of sociodemographic, clinical, psychosocial, and physical factors on the gait speed of older women with acute low back pain.

Methods: Sociodemographic, clinical, psychosocial, and physical factors on the gait speed were evaluated in a convenience sample of olderwomen.  Statistical analysiswas performed using multiple regression analysis.

Results: Four hundred and fifty-five older women (age: 68 ± 9) were included. Variables such as age, education, low back pain intensity, body mass index, comorbidities, depressive symptoms, fear of falling, anterior trunk mobility, and hand grip strength explained 18.8% of the gait speed test (R² = 0.188; p < .001).

Conclusion: Age, education, low back pain intensity, body mass index, comorbidities, depressive symptoms, fear of falling, anterior trunkmobility, and handgrip strength were found to be associated with gait speed in olderwomenwith acute lowback pain. These variables can act independently or  synergistically.