Which outcomes have been used to measure changes in pain processing in non-specific low back pain and which can be used as biomarkers and diagnostic tools for the condition: a review of randomised controlled trials
Item
- Title
- Which outcomes have been used to measure changes in pain processing in non-specific low back pain and which can be used as biomarkers and diagnostic tools for the condition: a review of randomised controlled trials
- Author(s)
- Lehmann, L
- Abstract
- Background: NSLBP is a common reason for medical consultation but is not addressed specifically with the aim of understanding the underlying mechanism of pain. Treatment for it is non-targeted and no tools are agreed on for diagnosis from health care practitioners. Objective: The objective was to draw out and critically compare potential biomarkers for NSLBP that could serve as predictors or diagnostic tools for the condition. Design: Structured literature review. Methods: Three databases were reviewed for relevant research published between 2009 and 2019. Inclusion and exclusion criteria relevant to the research question were determined for adequate selection. Methodological quality assessments of the included studies were performed using the Jadad scale and sample size analysis. Outcome measures appropriate to the research question were analysed with regards to statistical significance and effect size. Results A total of 20 randomised controlled trials were included in the review. Three categories of outcome measures could be drawn out: measures of blood content, sensory testing and brain modulation. Following outcome measures were statistically and qualitatively significant following intervention: interleukin-6, C-reactive protein, serum magnesium and potassium, pressure pain threshold and lumbar muscle endurance and strength Discussion: In consensus with the wider literature, these statistically and qualitatively significant outcome measures were proven to be potential diagnostic tools for NSLBP. The remaining outcome measures demonstrated increased divergence among the included studies and within the wider literature. Also, brain biomarkers were determined as non-applicable diagnostic tools for manual therapists due to human and economic cost and material needed. However, these brain biomarker measures informed manual therapists and health care professionals about treatment options for NSLBP such as lumbar coordination exercises aiming at improving integration of lumbar spine control. Conclusion: This review successfully drew out and appraised current biomarkers linked to NSLBP. It proposed reliable assessment tools for NSLBP for manual therapists and strategies for performing personalised and targeted treatment. Finally, this review managed to emphasize the clinical importance of psychosocial patient assessment with regards to NSLBP treatment.
- presented at
- European School of Osteopathy
- Date Accepted
- 2020
- Date Submitted
- 28.10.2020 18:08:19
- Type
- osteo_thesis
- Language
- English
- Submitted by:
- 62
- Pub-Identifier
- 16672
- Inst-Identifier
- 1229
- Keywords
- Non-specific low back pain, NSLBP, biomarkers, chronic low back pain, CLBP, assessment tools, pain processes
- Recommended
- 0
- Item sets
- Thesis
Lehmann, L, “Which outcomes have been used to measure changes in pain processing in non-specific low back pain and which can be used as biomarkers and diagnostic tools for the condition: a review of randomised controlled trials”, Osteopathic Research Web, accessed May 5, 2025, https://www.osteopathicresearch.org/s/orw/item/183