RELATION BETWEEN PAIN, FUNCTION AND PRESSURE IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC NON-SPECIFIC LOW BACK PAIN

Abstract

Dalia Salah Elshatoury*, Abdelgalil Allam Abdelgalil, Mohamed Abdelmegeed, Osama Abd-Alzaher and Elsadat Saad Soliman

Background: Chronic Nonspecific Low Back Pain (CNSLBP) is a prevalent health issue leading to functional limitations, often accompanied by depressive symptoms and sleep disorders. This condition persists for over three months and is not associated with any identifiable pathological cause.

Materials and Methods: Sixty-six participants (mean age: 38.0 ± 3.84 years) previously diagnosed with CNSLBP for more than three months were recruited from the outpatient clinic of a police authority hospital. Pain intensity was measured using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), pain pressure threshold (PPT) was evaluated via pressure algometry, and functional disability was assessed using the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). An analysis using Pearson’s correlation coefficient was conducted to investigate the correlations among these variables.

Results: A significant correlation was found between VAS and ODI scores (P < 0.05), indicating that higher pain intensity is linked to greater functional disability. However, no significant correlations were observed between PPT and VAS or ODI scores (P > 0.05). Additionally, gender showed no significant association with VAS or PPT scores (P > 0.05).

Conclusion: In patients with CNSLBP, pain intensity is strongly associated with functional limitations and interference in daily activities. However, the presence of trigger points or tense muscles does not correlate with pain severity.