Background & Aims
This study aimed to investigate pain, physical and cognitive functions, circadian rhythm characteristics in chronic low back pain patients with central sensitization and to compare the findings in chronic low back pain patients without central sensitization and asymptomatic controls.
Methods
The study included 15 low back pain patients with central sensitization [age: 45 (37/54) years, Body Mass Index (BMI): 28.56±5.21 kg/m2], 15 patients without central sensitization [age: 50 (39/59) years, BMI: 26.97±4.63 kg/m2], and 15 asymptomatic controls [age: 44 (28/52) years, BMI: 27.35±4.01 kg/m2]. The Central Sensitization Inventory for sensitization symptoms, Visual Analog Scale for pain, digital algometry for pressure pain threshold and conditioned pain modulation, Oswestry Disability Index for physical function, Montreal Cognitive Assessment for cognitive function, Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index for circadian rhythm characteristics were used. Statistical analyses were performed with independent samples T test, Mann Whitney U test, One-Way ANOVA, Kruskal Wallis and Fisher Exact Test.
Results
The group with central sensitization had higher resting, activity, and night pain intensity (p=0.025; p=0.004; p=0.012, respectively), pressure pain thresholds (p=0.047; p= 0.017), and conditioned pain modulation score was lower (p=0.035), physical disability was higher (p=0.032) when compared to the group without central sensitization. Sleep quality was worse (p= 0.009) when compared to the control group. There were no differences in cognitive function among the three groups (p= 0.116).
Conclusions
In chronic low back pain patients with central sensitization had worse pain, physical function, and sleep quality. Central sensitization assessment in chronic low back pain may be important in determining treatment strategies and patient follow-up.
References
1. Aoyagi K, He J, Clauw DJ, Sharma NK. Sleep quality in individuals with chronic low back pain and central sensitization. Physiotherapy Research International. 2022;27(4):e1968.
2. Aoyagi K, He J, Nicol AL, Clauw DJ, Kluding PM, Jernigan S, et al. A Subgroup of Chronic Low Back Pain Patients With Central Sensitization. Clin J Pain. 2019;35(11):869–79.
3. Almeida VC, Lima VB, Costa KM, Sandes SS, de Farias Neto JP, da Silva Junior WM. Do patients with low back pain and central sensitization have differences in physical fitness? J Bodyw Mov Ther. 2021;28:193–201.
Presenting Author
Sevinc Akdeniz
Poster Authors
Topics
- Specific Pain Conditions/Pain in Specific Populations: Low Back Pain