Impact of pain, Kinesiophobia, and lumbar disability on the intervention goals of the physiotherapist
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v73.117542Keywords:
Persistent pain , physiotherapy, functional disability, kinesiophobia, Non-specific back painAbstract
Introduction and Objective: Chronic low back pain (CLBP) is one of the leading causes of disability worldwide, with a growing prevalence attributed to biological, psychological, and social factors. This condition compromises physical functioning contributes to work absenteeism and reduces quality of life. Its multifactorial nature requires a comprehensive therapeutic approach from physiotherapy, grounded in the biopsychosocial model. This study aimed to analyze the factors associated with the chronification of nonspecific low back pain, with an emphasis on functional disability, identifying predictive variables such as age, body mass index (BMI), pain intensity, pressure pain threshold, and kinesiophobia.
Methods: A observational study , type cross-sectional quantitative, study was conducted in Imbabura, Ecuador, in 2024. A total of 169 patients with chronic low back pain were included. Validated instruments were applied: Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), pressure algometry, BMI, Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ), and the Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to identify predictors of functional disability.
Results:Among the participants, 60.4% were female, with a mean BMI of 25.4 kg/m². Age and kinesiophobia showed a statistically significant association with functional disability (p < 0.05), explaining 48% of the variance (adjusted R² = 0.48). Subjective pain and pressure pain threshold showed weak correlations and were not predictive.
Conclusions:Age and kinesiophobia are key predictors of disability in patients with CLBP. A physiotherapeutic approach should include multidimensional assessment, pain neuroscience education (PNE), progressive therapeutic exercise, and psychosocial interventions aimed at improving function and self-management.
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