Walking Through Low Back Pain: A Comprehensive Review of Gait Research

Abstract Background: Low back pain (LBP) is one of the most prevalent musculoskeletal conditions and a leading cause of disability worldwide, often associated with altered walking patterns that impair functional mobility. Despite widespread use of gait analysis in LBP research, the literature remains heterogeneous, making dominant research domains and trends difficult to identify. Objective: To map the research landscape on gait in individuals with LBP using bibliometric analysis, and to narratively synthesise thekey research domains, commonly reported gait variables and measurement approaches, and emerging trends over time. Methods: A bibliometric analysis with narrative synthesis was conducted. The literature search was performed in the Web of Science Core Collection on 22 December 2025 Using a title-field search strategy. The search was restricted to English-language original and review articles examining gait, walking, ambulation, or mobility in individuals with LBP. Publication trend analysis and bibliometric keyword co-occurrence analysis using VOSviewer were performed to examine research output, thematic structures, and emerging trends. Findings from the bibliometric map were then narratively synthesised with reference to key primary studies to contextualise the identified domains. Results: Gait-related research in LBP has increased substantially, particularly after 2010. Keyword co-occurrence analysis identified three main thematic clusters: (1) biomechanics, motor control, and gait variability; (2) clinical assessment, rehabilitation, and functional outcomes; and (3) population characteristics, risk factors, and performance. Across these domains, individuals with LBP demonstrate altered trunk and lower-limb coordination, neuromuscular control, spatiotemporal parameters, and movement variability. Advances in measurement technologies, including three-dimensional motion capture and wearable sensors, have expanded gait assessment approaches. Conclusion: Gait research in LBP has evolved into a multidimensional field integrating biomechanical, clinical, and population-level perspectives. However, methodological heterogeneity and a lack of consensus on outcome selection limit comparability across studies. Domain-informed and condition-specific gait assessment frameworks are needed to improve methodological consistency and support clinical translation.