Effects of Pain Neuroscience Education With Conventional Physical Therapy in Patients With Chronic Low Back Pain

Low back pain is currently considered to be the most common cause of disability.When low back pain occurs sensitivity of body increases which decreases overall body activity.Physical inactivity negatively effects recovery from chronic low back pain.Patients with chronic low back pain experience psychological anxiety and depression which leads to fear of pain and movement.There are various treatment options for chronic low back pain.But most treatment options deal with biomedical aspect of disease.Pain neuroscience education deals with psychological aspect of disease.By combining both treatment options we will be able to evaluate the combined biopsychosocial aspect of treatment.This study will mainly focus on the education of patients regarding neuroscience be hind their chronic low back pain.

Low back pain is currently considered to be the most common cause of disability.This is the single greatest cause of years lived with disability.When low back pain occurs the sensitivity of body increases which decreases overall body activity.Physical inactivity negatively effects recovery from chronic low back pain.Patients with chronic low back pain experience psychological anxiety and depression which leads to fear of pain and movement. There are various treatmet options for chronic low back pain.But most treatment options deal with biomedical aspect of disease.Pain neuroscience education deals with psychological aspect of disease.By combining both treatment options we will be able to evaluate the combined biopsychosocial aspect of treatment.This study will mainly focus on education of patients regarding neuroscience behind their chronic low back pain.

A randomized control trial will be conducted in Tariq Memorial Neuro Clinic Islambad using non-probability purposive sampling.Participants will be briefed regarding the study objectives, procedure, risks and benefits of treament, voluntary participation and right to withdraw.Written informed consent will be taken from all the participants before conducting the research.Details of exercise program will be explained to them.Patients wiith chronic low back pain will be reffered by neuro-physician.Screening will be done by using Keel Start Back screening tool.Then the selected participants will be randomized into 2 groups(experimental group and control group)via sealed envelope method. Participants will complete Numeric Rating Pain Scale(NRPS) for pain, Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire for disability measurement and Tampa Scale for kinesiophobia.All of these measurements will be taken at baseline and then after 4 weeks of intervention.

The treatment protocol of both groups is as follows:

Group 1(Control group):hot pack, TENS for 15 mins, mobilization at L4-L5 segment, stretchings and stabilization exercises (5 reps/1set) Group 2(Experimental group):Pain neuroscience education for 15 mins, hot pack, TENS,mobilization at L4-L5 segment, stretchings and stabilization exercises.(5 reps/1 set)

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* Both male and female of age 40-65 years
* Patients with chronic primary low back pain (medium risk patients on Start Back Screening Tool)

Exclusion Criteria:

* patients with motor and sensory dysfunction
* patients with neurological abnormalities and muscle paalysis
* patients with dizziness and uncontrolled hypertension
* patients who could not take the basic posture of lumbar stabilization exercises because of pain