Evaluating sensory profiles in nociplastic chronic low back pain: a cross-sectional validation study

Area of Science:

• Pain Management
• Rehabilitation Science
• Sensory Processing

Background:

• Sensory profiles (SPs) can classify patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP) for personalized treatment.
• The Adolescent/Adult Sensory Profile (AASP) assesses sensory processing but lacks validation in CLBP populations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To validate the Adolescent/Adult Sensory Profile (AASP) in patients with CLBP.
• To assess the internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and construct validity of the AASP in a CLBP cohort.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study design with two evaluation intervals (2 weeks apart).
• Included ninety patients diagnosed with CLBP.
• Utilized questionnaires to assess reliability and construct validity against the AASP.

Main Results:

• Excellent internal consistency for all SPs (Cronbach's alpha: 0.91-0.92).
• High test-retest reliability (ICC (3,2): 0.82-0.87).
• Construct validity showed expected correlations with sensory processing patterns.

Conclusions:

• The Adolescent/Adult Sensory Profile (AASP) is a suitable and reliable tool for evaluating sensory profiles in primary care patients with CLBP.
• Findings support the use of AASP for stratifying CLBP patients based on sensory sensitivity.