Factors associated with chronic low back pain and central sensitization in office workers: a multidimensional...

We aimed to identify factors influencing chronic low back pain (LBP) and central sensitization (CS) in office workers from biomechanics, lifestyle, autonomic nervous system function (ANSF), and blood parameters perspectives.

This cross-sectional observational study included 50 office workers. We measured trunk muscle mass (TMM), lumbar motor control, hip range of motion, ANSF using heart rate variability indices (natural logarithm of high and low-frequency power [LnHF and LnLF respectively], ratio of low-frequency to high-frequency power [LF/HF]), and sedentary time. Questionnaires assessed LBP intensity (numerical rating scale [NRS]), CS severity (CS Inventory-9 [CSI-9]), weekly alcohol consumption, and average daily sleep duration. Blood parameters included high-density lipoprotein cholesterol [HDL-C], low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and hemoglobin A1c levels). We performed Pearson correlation and multiple regression analyses.

Correlation analysis showed that TMM correlated negatively with hip flexion range of motion (r = -0.49, p < 0.001) and HDL-C levels (r = -0.56, p < 0.001). In the multiple regression analysis, NRS scores of LBP were associated with LnLF (β = -0.50, p = 0.003), LF/HF (β = 0.31, p = 0.046), and alcohol consumption (β = 0.42, p = 0.010), with an adjusted R² of 0.28. CSI-9 scores were associated with shorter average daily sleep duration (β = -0.42, p = 0.010), with an adjusted R² of 0.15.

LBP intensity is associated with alcohol consumption and ANSF, whereas CS severity is associated with sleep duration. Therefore, assessing and addressing lifestyle factors may be important for managing LBP and CS in office workers.