Researcher(s)
- Isabelle Botto, Exercise Science, University of Delaware
- Taryn Fields, Human Physiology, University of Delaware
Faculty Mentor(s)
- Katie Butera, Physical Therapy, University of Delaware
Abstract
Introduction:
Low back pain (LBP) is a global leader in musculoskeletal injuries affecting ~577 million people worldwide. The relationship between movement-evoked pain (MEP) and positive psychological factors can help clinicians understand how psychological and motor domains work together to drive function among individuals with pain. Unfortunately, positive psychological factors are not widely studied compared to more commonly investigated negative psychological factors.
Objectives:
To fill this gap in evidence, this cross-sectional, secondary analysis evaluates the relationship between MEP and positive psychological coping factors—pain self-efficacy (PSEQ) and self-efficacy for rehabilitation (SER)—among individuals with LBP.
Methods:
Seventy-six adults (mean age= 45 years±16.7; 39 females, 37 males) with current or recent LBP underwent testing during a single visit. Participants completed items from the Optimal Screening for Prediction of Referral and Outcome–Yellow Flag (OSPRO-YF) tool, a valid multidimensional measure of pain-related psychological factors; responses determined levels of PSEQ and SER. Participants’ MEP was measured during several walking tasks (e.g., self-selected walking, Timed-Up and-Go) and tasks from the Back Performance Scale (BPS) (e.g., box lift, sit up from supine). MEP was recorded during each task using the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (0-100; 0=no pain, 100=worst pain imaginable). Pearson correlations were generated to determine relationships between variables (alpha=0.05).
Results:
Pearson correlations indicate significant negative relationships between a) higher SER and lower BPS-MEP (r= -0.437; p<0.001), b) higher SER and lower Walking-MEP (r= -0.440; p<0.001), c) higher PSEQ and lower BPS-MEP (r= -0.394; p<0.001), and d) higher PSEQ and lower Walking-MEP (r= 0.369; p=0.001).
Discussion:
Individuals with LBP and lower positive coping demonstrate higher MEP, which could negatively affect chronicity and disability. Encouraging a multidimensional evaluation of LBP that addresses both functional and psychological factors will help clinicians better understand patient recovery and ability to participate in life activities.