Pain Sensitivity and Psychological Profile of Chronic Low Back Pain Patients

Pain Sensitivity and Psychological Profile of Chronic Low Back Pain Patients: Implications for a Personalized Treatment Approach

This study aims to characterize pain sensitivity and psychological profile of CLBP patients in comparison with pain free adults, and explore their predictive role on hypnosis outcomes, an effective intervention for pain control.

Chronic low back pain (CLBP) is a very prevalent condition, associated with high disability and financial costs. Pain sensitization and psychological status have been associated with symptom severity and treatment outcomes, but their prognostic value is not yet well established.

This is a Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial, with an experimental (hypnosis) and one control group (standard care), and 5 assessment points: baseline, post intervention, 1, 3 and 6 months follow-up. Participants will be 160 CLBP patients and 50 pain free adults, assessed on sociodemographic, clinical, pain, disability, psychophysical (Quantitative Sensory Testing) and psychological variables.

This work will contribute to a better knowledge of the mechanisms underlying CLBP and of the patient characteristics that can predict treatment outcomes after hypnosis. The findings have the potential to improve patient-targeted treatment approaches.

Inclusion Criteria:

• persistent or recurrent low back pain lasting over 3 months

Exclusion Criteria:

• pain due to other causes (e.g. fibromyalgia, fracture)
• back surgery in the previous 6 months or planned in the following 6 months
• debilitating organic, psychiatric or neurological conditions (e.g. cancer, schizophrenia, dementia)
• disability compensation or litigation related to CLBP
• unavailability to commit to the hypnosis sessions.