The association between pain sensitivity and hip and lumbar joint excursion during a lifting task in people with chronic low back pain

Chronic low back pain (LBP) often involves altered movement patterns and heightened pain sensitivity. We examined associations between pain sensitivity, measured by pressure pain threshold (PPT), temporal summation of pain (TSP), and sensitivity to physical activity (SPA), and hip and lumbar joint mobility during lifting in individuals with chronic LBP. 47 participants with chronic non-specific LBP were recruited in a cross-sectional study. Pain sensitivity was assessed via PPT and TSP at lumbar and hand sites, and SPA was measured during a standardized lifting task. Hip and lumbar joint excursions were captured using 3D motion analysis. Linear regression models evaluated associations, adjusting for age, sex, BMI, and pain. Greater TSP-hand (ΔR 2 = 0.093, P = 0.029) and SPA-lift (ΔR 2 = 0.078, P = 0.049) were significantly associated with reduced hip mobility indicating a possible link between pain sensitivity and altered movement. Trends suggested associations between lower PPT-hand and reduced lumbar mobility and greater TSP-back and reduced hip mobility, though these were not statistically significant. People with LBP who exhibit greater pain sensitivity (via TSP-hand and SPA-lift) tend to move their hips less during lifting. This suggests that pain sensitivity may be associated with altered or protective movement strategies. Future work should clarify this relationship.