Central Sensitization and Physical Functioning in patients with Chronic Low Back Pain

Chronic low back pain is one of the most disabling conditions worldwide and has a major negative impact on individual’s functioning (i.e. mobility and self-care, social relationships, work and leisure). In a relevant subgroup of individuals with chronic low back pain, central sensitization (CS) can be present, leading to an amplified pain experience. This thesis explores the involvement of CS in the functioning of patients with chronic low back pain and, additionally, the measurement methods to assess CS and functioning. To this purpose six studies were performed. The results revealed associations between CS and functioning, although these associations were few and diverse. Also, the measurement methods to assess CS reported no associations between them. Lastly, a maximal cardiopulmonary exercise test was found to be safe, feasible, pain tolerable and partly associated with other measurement methods of functioning. Based on the results, it was concluded that CS can be involved in the functioning of patients with CLBP, although it does not seem to play a crucial role.