Brain, Psychological and Epigenetic Determinants for Optimizing the Treatment of Chronic Low Back Pain

Assessing the Predictability of Brain, Psychological and Epigenetic Determinants for Optimizing the Treatment of Chronic Low Back Pain

The goal of this observational study is to better understand the role of the brain in chronic low back pain patients.

Chronic pain affects millions of people worldwide, and the main cardinal sign of any arthritis condition is pain. Several arthritis conditions can cause chronic low back pain (CLBP).The mechanisms that contribute to CLBP are not yet fully understood, but considering the role of the brain in the context of chronic pain, it is only logical to investigate structural and functional brain properties in CLBP, in order to improve diagnosis and treatment of this condition.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Low back pain (≥ 6 months) with or without pain radiating to the legs or radiating to the neck
• Positive medial branch blocks, suggesting that the pain originates from the lumbar facet joints
• Average pain intensity of ≥ 3/10 in the 24-hour period before the initial visit
• Pain primarily localized in the lower back

Exclusion Criteria:

• Inadequate pain relief or relief of less than three months following selective thermoablation of medial lumbar branches by radiofrequency
• Neurological, cardiovascular, or pulmonary disorders
• Comorbid pain syndrome
• History of surgical intervention in the back
• A corticosteroid infiltration within the past year
• Pregnancy (current or planned during the course of the study)
• Contra-indication to Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)