Sensory profiles and their role in the persistence of central sensitization symptoms in low back pain. A prospective cohort study

ABSTRACT

Introduction

Acute lower back pain can lead to neuroplastic changes in the central nervous system, and symptoms of central sensitization after 12 weeks. While sensory sensitivity has been shown to predict symptoms of central sensitization, trait sensory profiles may be prognostic in the persistence of central sensitization symptoms in low back pain over time.

Objective

To examine sensory profiles as prognostic symptoms of central sensitization in people with acute low back pain.

Methods

A longitudinal type 2 prognostic factor research study was performed according to the PROGRESS framework. Baseline and 12-week follow-up measures were taken using the Adolescent/Adult Sensory Profile and the Central Sensitization Inventory measures. Study participants were consecutively included from primary care physiotherapy practices. Univariable, and multivariable regression analyses were performed to adjust sensory profiles based on previous history of low back pain, baseline Central Sensitization Inventory scores, level of pain, disability, age, and duration of low back pain.

Results

After adjustment, the sensory profiles of Low Registration B = 0.44, 95%CI (0.18, 0.70), Sensation Seeking B = 0.38, 95%CI (0.19, 0.57), Sensory Sensitive B = 0.49, 95%CI (0.25, 0.74), Sensation Avoiding B = 0.40, 95% CI (0.15, 0.65) was significantly associated with the persistence of central sensitization symptoms (N = 103).

Conclusion

Sensory profiles may predict symptoms of central sensitization after 12 weeks in people with acute low back pain.

KEYWORDS:

• Sensory processing
• sensory profiles
• central sensitization
• acute low back pain
• prognostic factor research

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement

The data presented in this study are not publicly available due to ethical, and privacy issues.

Complying with ethics of experimentation

The study was conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki and approved by the Institutional Ethics Committee (METC) of the University of Groningen which decided that formal ethical approval was not needed because no intervention was carried out, and regular care was provided, registration number M15.169564. This research was registered at clinicaltrial.gov with ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04974229.

Informed consent

Informed consent was obtained from all subjects involved in this study.

Additional information

Funding

The author(s) reported that there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.