Background & Aims
The effect of central sensitization on the process of chronicity of the musculoskeletal pain has been reported by previous studies. The changes in the boundaries of representation areas of the body map in the cortex are called cortical reorganization. Cortical reorganization observed in chronic low back pain (CLBP) was suggested to be responsive to the top-down treatments such as tactile discrimination training (TDT). This study aims to investigate the effectiveness of TDT on cortical reorganization, pain intensity, disability and lumbopelvic motor control in patients with CLBP.
Methods
The participants (n = 30) will be randomly allocated into two groups. The control group (n = 15) will be included into progressive motor control exercise program, while the experimental group (n =15) will receive TDT in addition to the same exercise protocol, two days a week for 10 weeks. The cortical reorganization will be assessed with tactile localization, two-point discrimination and pressure pain threshold. Also, the intensity of pain (Visual Analogue Scale), disability (Oswestry Disability Index), and lumbopelvic motor control will be evaluated. The measurements will be performed at baseline, sixth week and end of the treatment.
Results
Adding TDT to progressive motor control exercise program will provide better outcomes in terms of cortical reorganisation, pain intensity, disability and lumbopelvic motor control in patients with CLBP.
Conclusions
The results of this study will help to understand the role of the cortical reorganisation among the underlying mechanisms of the CLBP and will provide future directions about using TDT in the treatment of CLBP.
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