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NCT Number: NCT06958263

Relationship Between Low Back Pain and Sensitization

Chronic non-specific low back pain is a common health problem that significantly affects the quality of life of individuals. Increased pain intensity leads to deficiencies in the body's sensory organization, resulting in decreased awareness. This can lead to dysfunction in body awareness, which is known as the ability of individuals to perceive the sensations and conditions of their bodies. Body awareness plays a critical role in pain management and mobility. Chronic pain causes constant stimulation in the nervous system, causing central sensitization, which is when the central nervous system becomes overly sensitive to pain signals. As a result, a decrease in the pain threshold, constant pain, and increased muscle tension occur. Increased pain intensity and decreased awareness can result in a decrease in the maintenance of optimal functions, affecting muscular endurance. Inadequate muscular endurance can increase low back pain and make it difficult for individuals to perform their daily activities. Therefore, this study aims to examine the relationship between body awareness, central sensitization, disability, and muscular endurance in patients with chronic non-specific low back pain.

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Key information

Conditions

Low Back Pain Back Pain Neurologic Manifestations Pain Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Signs and Symptoms

Age range

18 year–65 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Observational

Primary location

Karabuk University, Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Application and Research Center

Karabük, Turkey (Türkiye)

About this study

Body awareness plays a critical role in pain management and mobility. Individuals with high body awareness can better manage their pain, which can contribute to a decrease in disability levels. Chronic pain causes constant stimulation in the nervous system, which causes central sensitization, which is when the central nervous system becomes oversensitive to pain signals. As a result, a decrease in the pain threshold, constant pain, and increased muscle tension occur. In addition, central sensitization can cause the body to be more vulnerable to injuries due to the body being in an overstimulated state. Increased pain intensity and decreased awareness can result in a decrease in the maintenance of optimal functions, affecting muscular endurance. Inadequate muscular endurance can increase low back pain and make it difficult for individuals to perform their daily activities. The literature has attempted to emphasize the relationship between pain, disability, and body awareness in various populations. However, the relationship between body awareness and central sensitization has not been sufficiently studied. Sensitization in the body as a result of central sensitization may be associated with changes in awareness. Understanding these complex relationships is important for developing appropriate treatment strategies in the rehabilitation and clinical follow-up process. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the relationship between body awareness, central sensitization, disability and muscular endurance in patients with chronic non-specific low back pain. Patients with chronic non-specific low back pain will be included in the study. Body awareness, central sensitization, pain intensity, muscular endurance and disability levels of the patients will be evaluated. The data obtained from the study will be analyzed appropriately.

Who can participate

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Being between the ages of 18-65
  • Being diagnosed with chronic non-specific low back pain (Pain between the gluteal folds and the 12th ribs that lasts at least 12 weeks and has no known pathoanatomical cause)
  • Being willing to participate in the study

Exclusion criteria

  • Having a psychological disorder, mental disorder, cancer and severe depression
  • Having a history of primary or metastatic spinal malignancy, spinal fracture
  • Having a neurological disease (Hemiplegia, Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson's, etc.)
  • Being diagnosed with advanced osteoporosis
  • Having a history of surgery or acute infection in the lumbar region

Treatment and study plan

Primary outcomes

  1. Central sensitization

    Time frame: Baseline

    Central sensitization will be assessed with the "Central Sensitization Scale". The total score range is between 0-100 points. As the score increases, sensitization increases and 40 points and above are considered higher sensitization.

  2. Pain severity

    Time frame: Baseline

    Pain intensity will be assessed with Vizüel Analog Scale (VAS). VAS varies between 0-10 and the higher the score, the greater the pain.

  3. Pain pressure threshold

    Time frame: Baseline

    Pressure pain threshold will be measured with an algometer in kg. High values indicate a high pain threshold.

  4. Disability levels

    Time frame: Baseline

    Disability will be measured by the Oswestry Disability Index. The total score ranges from 0-100 and the higher the score, the higher the level of disability.

  5. Body awereness

    Time frame: Baseline

    It will be measured with a body awareness survey. The total score varies between 18-126 and as the score increases, awareness increases

  6. Low back awereness

    Time frame: Baseline

    It will be measured with the Fremantle Waist Awareness Questionnaire (FBFA). The total score varies between 0-36 and the awareness decreases as the score increases

  7. Trunk muscle endurance

    Time frame: Baseline

    The Stabilizer Pressure Biofeedback Unit will be used to evaluate the multifidus muscle endurance. The time maintained at 40 mmHg pressure will be recorded. As the time increases, the endurance increases.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Karabuk University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Factors Associated With Sensitization in Patients With Chronic Low Back Pain

Important dates

Study start
2025
Primary completion
2025
Study completion
2026
First posted
May 6, 2025
Registry last updated
May 14, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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