Grant: Undergraduate: Mobility, musculoskeletal health and arthritis - ICS

This project focuses on mobility in people with lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS), a chronic, disabling and painful condition primarily affecting the aged (>65 years). The most specific symptom of LSS is neurogenic claudication, which includes pain, numbness, and weakness in the low back and legs brought on by walking. It is known that these symptoms of LSS limit mobility and by association, physical activity. Yet, no research has been conducted examining methods for increasing physical activity or walking participation in people with LSS, nor has any physical activity data been collected in this population. In this pilot study we will collect baseline disability and walking participation data on 15 LSS patients. This data will be used in power analysis and planning of a future randomized controlled trial that will assess whether a pedometer-based walking intervention can increase mobility (steps per day) in aged individuals (>65) with lumbar spinal stenosis.