eS1122 WCPT Congress 2015 / Physiotherapy 2015; Volume 101, Supplement 1 eS833–eS1237 Methods: Sixteen elderly subjects (median [interquartile range] age, 81 [77–85] years) with stable COPD (percent- of-predicted FEV 1 50.9 [31.3–64.9]%) and 16 age-matched healthy subjects were studied. Breathing patterns, EFL, lung volume, SpO 2 , and pulse rate during quiet breathing were evaluated in three standing postures: erect, leaning forward, and arm bracing. For the arm bracing positions, the subjects leaned forward and rested their elbows on a platform whose height was set so that the subjects could assume a trunk incli- nation that felt most comfortable. The trunk-inclined posture had the same forward inclination of the trunk as the arm brac- ing position, but with the arms removed from the platform. The sequence of measurement was first to have the subjects take a forced vital capacity, then assume relaxed standing for 30 seconds, followed by arm bracing for 30 seconds, and then the leaning forward posture for another 30 seconds randomly. Lung volume and flow rate were measured by a hot-wire spirometer (AE300-s, Minato Medical Science, Osaka, Japan) connected to a mouthpiece and sampled at 100 Hz using an analyzing system (PowerLab; ADInstru- ments, Dunedin, New Zealand). The changes of EFL and lung volume in each posture were determined by superim- posing a flow-volume loop of a tidal breath within a maximal flow-volume loop curve. Subjective symptoms of dyspnea were recorded on the modified Borg scale and SpO 2 , with the pulse rate assessed using a pulse oximeter for each position measured. Results: Lung volume was significantly higher with arm bracing than with other postures in both groups (P < 0.05). Breathing patterns, SpO 2 , and pulse rate were not signif- icantly different among the three postures in both groups. However, EFL and Borg dyspnea scores were significantly lower with arm bracing than with other postures in COPD subjects (P < 0.01). Conclusion(s): The decreased EFL in the arm bracing position may be caused by breathing at a higher lung volume than in the erect position, which may be one of the factors to relieve dyspnea in elderly COPD patients. Implications: By using arm bracing with elderly COPD patients through physiotherapy and active of daily living (e.g. using a rollator in walk, panic control), it is possible to relieve dyspnea and prevent the decrease of physical activity. Keywords: Arm bracing; Expiratory flow limitation; COPD Funding acknowledgements: Funding support for this study was not any provided. Ethics approval: This study was approved by the ethics committee of Hyogo College of Medicine, Hyogo, Japan. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.physio.2015.03.2024 Research Report Poster Presentation Number: RR-PO-10-01-Sat Saturday 2 May 2015 12:15 Exhibit halls 401–403 INFLUENCE OF SELECTED PAIN CHARACTERISTICS ON SEGMENTAL SPINE FLEXIBILITY IN PATIENTS WITH LOW BACK PAIN A.O. Ogundele 1 , M.O. Egwu 2 , C.E. Mbada 2 , M.O.B. Olaogun 2 , O.O. Ogundele 3 1 Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Physiotherapy, Ile-Ife, Nigeria; 2 Obafemi Awolowo University, Medical Rehabilitation, Ile-Ife, Nigeria; 3 Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Medicine, Ile-Ife, Nigeria Background: Pain is an important factor in the alteration of spinal architecture, biomechanics and function. Persons with history of frequent episodes of LBP often present with altered spinal mobility at lumbar spine which may influence movement in other parts of the spine. However, there are conflicting findings amongst studies investigating pain and its influence on spinal mobility. Purpose: This study compared cervical, thoracic and lum- bar spine Range of Motion (ROM) of patients with Low Back Pain (LBP) and their age, sex and somatotype-matched healthy controls. The study also investigated the influence of selected pain characteristics (intensity and duration of pain) on spine range of motion in the patients. Methods: Two Hundred and two participants (101 patients and healthy controls respectively) were purposively recruited from five selected physiotherapy outpatient clin- ics in South Western Nigeria. The control participants were recruited from Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) and OAU Teaching Hospitals Complex, Ile-Ife, Nigeria. ROM and pain intensity were assessed using dual inclinometry technique and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) respectively. Somatotype was determined using the wrist girth measure- ment and body perception scale respectively. Data were also obtained on demographic and anthropometric variables. Results: The patients and control group were compara- ble in age (48.1 ± 15.1 vs 48.0 ± 15.1 yrs; p = 0.996). The control group had significantly higher ROM in the cervi- cal (t = -6.82; p = 0.001), thoracic (t = -6.59; p = 0.001) and lumbar (t = -4.36, p = 0.001) spine respectively. There was significant inverse correlation between pain intensity and lumbar ROM in flexion (r = -0.402, p = 0.001) and exten- sion (r = -0.303, p =0.002) respectively. Pain duration was not significantly correlated with ROM in any of the spinal segments (p > 0.05). Conclusion(s): Low back pain leads to significant reduc- tion in cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine range of motion compared with controls. The higher the intensity of LBP