Clinical assessments can discriminate altered body perception in patients with unilateral chronic low back pain, but not differences between affected and unaffected side. (February 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Meier, Raphael; Iten, Patricia; Luomajoki, Hannu
• Is Part Of: Musculoskeletal science and practice. Volume 39(2019)
• Page Start: 136
• Page End: 143
• Publication Date: 2019-02
• Subjects: Altered body perception -- Chronic low back pain -- Two-point discrimination -- Left/right judgment task -- Body image drawing; Manipulation (Therapeutics) -- Periodicals; Physical therapy -- Periodicals; Neuromuscular diseases -- Treatment -- Periodicals; Musculoskeletal system -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Manipulation (Therapeutics); Neuromuscular diseases -- Treatment; Physical therapy; Manipulation, Orthopedic; Musculoskeletal Diseases -- therapy; Neuromuscular Diseases -- therapy; Physical Therapy Modalities; Electronic journals; Periodicals; 615.82
• DOI: 10.1016/j.msksp.2018.12.006
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2468-8630

Abstract

Abstract: Chronic pain disorders appear to be associated with altered body perception. The clinical tools of two-point discrimination (TPD), left/right judgment task (LRJ) and body image drawing (BID) can all be used to assess altered body perception in people with chronic low back pain (CLBP). The aim of this observational study was to examine whether values from TPD, LRJ and BID can determine altered body perception between unilateral CLBP patients' painful and pain-free trunk sides, through the evaluation of some of the underlying mechanisms of body perception. Twenty-seven eligible participants completed all tasks. Inclusion criteria were: unilateral CLBP with duration of over 12 weeks; pain level higher than two out of ten on the numeric rating scale; a minimum score of four points on the Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ). Findings from TPD and BID tests showed an alteration in body awareness. However, no significant interaction effects were found between the affected sides and their measurements (TPD p = 0.310, LRJ response time p = 0.571, LRJ accuracy p = 0.190, BID p = 0.751). The profiling of people with high levels of distorted body perception for other factors known to contribute to CLBP may be a useful direction for further investigation. Highlights: Chronic pain disorders appear to be associated with altered body perception. TPD, laterality recognition and body drawing was altered by patients with LBP. The affected and not affected sides by CLBP did not differ in this study.