Abstract
Background
Low back pain can lead to neuroplastic changes in the central nervous system, known as nociplastic pain. As nociplastic pain may be provoked by premorbid sensory profiles, such profiles may be prognostic in the development of nociplastic pain over time.
Objectives
To investigate whether four sensory profiles are prognostic in the development of symptoms of nociplastic pain in people with acute low back pain.
Methods
A longitudinal type 2 prognostic factor research study was performed in accordance with the PROGRESS framework, using a baseline and a follow-up after 12 weeks, between the Adolescent/Adult Sensory Profile and the Central Sensitisation Inventory.
Study participants were consecutively included from primary care physiotherapy practices randomly spread throughout the Netherlands.
A multivariable regression analysis was performed to adjust sensory profiles by the level of pain, disability, age, and duration of low back pain.
Results
After adjustment Low Registration B=0.41, 95%CI (0.37, 0.99), Sensory Seeking B=0.37, 95%CI (0.24, 0.73), Sensory Sensitive B=0.51, 95%CI (0.50, 1.06), Sensation Avoiding B=0.46, 95%CI (0.43, 0.99) were significantly associated with the development of nociplastic pain symptoms.
Conclusion
Sensory profiles in people with acute low back pain predict symptoms of nociplastic pain after 12 weeks.
Conflict of interest: No conflict of interest
Sources of funding: No funding obtained.
