Is the Central Sensitization in Chronic Nonspecific Low Back Pain Structural Phenomenon or Psychological Reaction? A Narrative Review.

Lower back pain (LBP) is a common condition affecting primarily populations in developed countries, placing a significant burden on public health systems around the world. A high rate of pain recurrence increases the risk of developing a chronic syndrome and the occurrence of complex psychosocial and professional problems. Symptoms lasting longer than 12 weeks are associated with the risk of sleep problems, depression, and anxiety.

Self-Assessment of Lower Urinary Tract Condition in Female Competitive Cyclists.

During cycling, prolonged compression by the bicycle saddle on the anatomical structures located in the perineum area occurs. An additional factor that may have a negative impact on organs located in the pelvic area may be a prolonged sitting position resulting in increased intraabdominal pressure. This situation has the potential to adversely affect pelvic floor function.

Inter- and Intra-Examiner Reliability Study of Two-Point Discrimination Test (TPD) and Two-Point Estimation Task (TPE) in the Sacral Area of Pain-Free Individuals.

Tactile acuity is typically measured by a two-point discrimination test (TPD) and a two-point estimation task (TPE). In the back area, they are only conducted in the lumbar and cervical regions of the spine. Considering that such measurements have not been conducted in the sacral regions, the purpose of this study was to assess the inter- and intra-examiner reliability of the TPD and TPE at the level of the S3 segment.

Effect of Nordic Walking Training on Physical Fitness and Self-Assessment of Health of People with Chronic Non-Specific Lower Back Pain.

In order to determine the impact of a four-week cycle of Nordic Walking (NW) training on the physical fitness of people with chronic non-specific lower back pain and the impact of this form of activity on their self-assessment of health quality, the study included 80 men and women aged 29 to 63 years. The subjects were divided into two equal (40-person) groups: experimental and control. In both study groups the degree of disability in daily activities caused by back pain was assessed with the FFb-H-R questionnaire, the physical fitness was evaluated with the modified Fullerton test and the sense of health quality was assessed with the SF-36 questionnaire.

Reliabilities of the Two-Point Discrimination Test and the Two-Point Estimation Test for Use in the Lumbar Spine Area in Healthy Young Adults.

Two-point discrimination (TPD) testing and two-point estimation (TPE) methods are often used to determine tactile acuity, but their reliability is uncertain. Our aim in this study was to assess the reliability of TPD and TPE measurements in the same lumbar spine region of healthy young adults. Participants were 37 young adults (16 females and 21 males; age range: 20-27 years - age = 21.

The Effectiveness of Pelvic Floor Muscle Training in Men after Radical Prostatectomy Measured with the Insert Test.

A commonly used physiotherapeutic method for the treatment of urinary incontinence (UI) after radical prostatectomy (RP) is pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT). The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of PFMT by enhanced biofeedback using the 1h pad-weighing test. The following factors were taken into consideration in the analysis of PFMT effectiveness: the relevance of the patients’ age, time from RP, BMI, mental health, functional state, and depression.

Self-Assessment of the Pelvic Floor by Women Practicing Recreational Horseback Riding.

The aim of this study was to compare the condition of the pelvic floor in women who are involved in regular recreational horseback riding, with both physically active women as well as women not undertaking any recreational physical activity. Taking into account horseback riding and physical activity, 140 healthy women aged 17 to 61 were divided into three groups: women practicing horseback riding (WPHR) (46 persons), physically active women (PAW) (47 persons) and women not physically active (WNPA) (47 persons). The Australian Pelvic Floor Questionnaire (APFQ) was used to measure the extent of pelvic floor dysfunctions in women from all three groups.

Influence of Stabilization Techniques Used in the Treatment of Low Back Pain on the Level of Kinesiophobia.

The aim of this study was to try to compare the effectiveness of manual therapy techniques in combination with stabilization techniques: the so-called Australian method and the Neurac method in relation to pain sensations and the level of kinesiophobia. A total of 69 people were examined, divided into three groups of 23 people each. The Visual Analogue Scale was used to assess the antalgic effect, and the Kinesiophobia Causes Scale questionnaire was used to assess the level of kinesiophobia.

Tactile Precision Remains Intact When Acute Neck Pain Is Induced.

A growing body of evidence suggests that chronic pain is associated with perceptual changes, such as impaired tactile acuity and laterality judgements. A recent study on low back pain showed that tactile acuity was decreased immediately after acute pain induction. Biologically, acute pain should lead to enhanced rather than disruptive changes in tactile acuity to meaningfully respond to potentially damaging nociceptive stimuli.

Assessment of manual dysfunction in occupationally active women with carpal tunnel syndrome.

Objectives: The aim of this study is to evaluate 2-point discrimination sense (2PD), strength and kinesthetic differentiation of strength (KDS), range of motion (ROM) and kinesthetic differentiation of movement (KDM) dysfunctions in occupationally active women with mild and moderate forms of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) compared to a healthy group.

Material And Methods: The 2PD sense, muscle strength and KDS, as well as the ROM and KDM of the radiocarpal articulation were assessed.

Results: The results of the 2PD sense assessment showed significantly higher values in all the examined fingers in the CTS women group compared to healthy women (p < 0.

Preliminary Validation of a Two-Point Estimation Task for the Measurement of Sensory Dissociation in Patients with Chronic Low Back Pain.

Objectives: Sensory dissociation (SEDI), the discrepancy between perception and actual size or shape of a painful body part, is a frequently observed finding in patients with chronic low back pain. However, the current methods of evaluating SEDI have several limitations, such as a qualitative nature and weak evidence supporting their reliability. In the current study, the reliability of two versions (manual and verbal) of a novel test, a two-point estimation task (TPE), was investigated.

Sensory dissociation in chronic low back pain: Two case reports.

Patients with chronic low back pain often report that they do not perceive their painful back accurately. Previous studies confirmed that sensory dissociation and/or discrepancy between perceived body image and actual size is one of the specific traits of patients with chronic pain. Current approaches for measuring sensory dissociation are limited to two-point-discrimination or rely on pain drawings not allowing for quantitative analysis.

Tactile acuity (dys)function in acute nociceptive low back pain: a double-blind experiment.

Research shows that chronic pain is related to cortical alterations that can be reflected in reduced tactile acuity, but whether acute pain perception influences tactile acuity has not been tested. Considering the biological role of nociception, it was hypothesized that nociceptive pain will lead to a rapid improvement in tactile acuity and that this effect is correlated with pain intensity and pain distribution. In this randomised double-blind controlled experiment (trial no.

Side differences of the lateral abdominal wall in supine rest position in mild adolescent idiopathic thoracolumbar scoliosis.

Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the thickness of the abdominal muscles on both sides in patients with mild adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) and to assess the absolute and relative thickness of oblique external (OE), oblique internal (OI), and transversus abdominis (TrA).

Patients And Methods: A total of 84 participants underwent ultrasonographic examination of the abdominal muscles in the supine resting position. All participants were divided into two groups including AIS group (n=42) and control group (n=42).

Ultrasound Assessment of the Abdominal Muscles at Rest and During the ASLR Test Among Adolescents With Scoliosis.

Study Design: Observational study.

Objective: Are there deviations in the thickness of abdominal muscles at rest in individuals with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS)? Are there deviations in abdominal muscular activity in people with AIS during the active straight leg raise (ASLR) test?

Summary Of Background Data: Ultrasound imaging can be used to assess the lateral abdominal muscle. Some authors suggest that scoliosis develops through a weakness or improper functioning of the abdominal muscles that cannot provide adequate support to the spinal segments.

Efficacy of Manual Therapy Including Neurodynamic Techniques for the Treatment of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Objective: The purpose of this randomized trial was to compare the efficacy of manual therapy, including the use of neurodynamic techniques, with electrophysical modalities on patients with mild and moderate carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS).

Methods: The study included 140 CTS patients who were randomly assigned to the manual therapy (MT) group, which included the use of neurodynamic techniques, functional massage, and carpal bone mobilizations techniques, or to the electrophysical modalities (EM) group, which included laser and ultrasound therapy. Nerve conduction, pain severity, symptom severity, and functional status measured by the Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire were assessed before and after treatment.

Reliability and number of trials of Y Balance Test in adolescent athletes.

Background: The Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT) is commonly used to evaluate dynamic equilibrium. The Y Balance Test (Y-BT) is a shortened version of the SEBT where a Y- Balance Kit is commonly used. To date, research concerning the protocol and reliability of the SEBT and Y-BT has been conducted only for adults.

Lumbar Tactile Acuity in Patients With Low Back Pain and Healthy Controls: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Objective: Diminished tactile acuity in chronic non-neuropathic pain syndromes has been attributed to central pain processing and cortical reorganization. The latter was recently targeted in clinical trials that demonstrated no clear advantages over traditional approaches for the reduction of nonspecific low back pain (LBP). The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to summarize the current evidence on tactile acuity in LBP and pain-free controls.

Assessment of the abdominal muscles at rest and during abdominal drawing-in manoeuvre in adolescent physically active girls: A case-control study.

Background: An impact of regular physical activity (RPA) on the abdominal muscles may be significant when comparing various symptomatic groups. However, there is lack comprehensive information in this field. The objective of this study was to assess the lateral abdominal wall at rest and during abdominal drawing-in manoeuvre in adolescent physically active girls in different body positions.

Overall health status in patients with mild to moderate carpal tunnel syndrome: A case-control study.

Study Design: A case-control study.

Introduction: There are no reports in the literature that evaluate the overall health status (OHS) of patients with mild to moderate forms of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) using 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36).

Purpose Of The Study: To assess OHS in patients with mild to moderate CTS, in comparison with healthy subjects.

The Effect of Specific Sling Exercises on the Functional Movement Screen Score in Adolescent Volleyball Players: A Preliminary Study.

The existing data indicate that the result of the Functional Movement Screen (FMS) test influences the likelihood of subsequent injury in professional athletes. Therefore, exercises increasing test scores of the FMS may be useful at various stages of sports activity. This study evaluated the effects of the NEURAC sling exercises method on the FMS test score in teenage volleyball players.

Body Mass Normalization for Ultrasound Measurements of Adolescent Lateral Abdominal Muscle Thickness.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine the value of the allometric parameter for ultrasound measurements of the thickness of the oblique external (OE), internal (OI), and transversus abdominis (TrA) muscles in the adolescent population. The allometric parameter is the slope of the linear regression line between the log transformed body mass and log transformed muscle size measurement.

Methods: The study included 321 adolescents between the ages of 10 and 17, consisting of 160 boys and 161 girls.

Impact of physical activity and fitness on the level of kinesiophobia in women of perimenopausal age.

To determine the impact of physical activity and fitness on the level of physical activity barriers (kinesiophobia) in women of perimenopausal age, the study included 105 women between the ages of 48 and 58. A Baecke questionnaire was used to evaluate physical activity and a modified Fullerton test was used to evaluate the fitness level. The level of kinesiophobia was assessed using the Kinesiophobia Causes Scale questionnaire.

Two-point discrimination and kinesthetic sense disorders in productive age individuals with carpal tunnel syndrome.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate two-point discrimination (2PD) sense and kinesthetic sense dysfunctions in carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) patients compared with a healthy group.

Methods: The 2PD sense, muscle force, and kinesthetic differentiation (KD) of strength; the range of motion in radiocarpal articulation; and KD of motion were assessed.

Results: The 2PD sense assessment showed significantly higher values in all the examined fingers in the CTS group than in those in the healthy group (p<0.

Effect of manual therapy and neurodynamic techniques vs ultrasound and laser on 2PD in patients with CTS: A randomized controlled trial.

Study Design: Randomized controlled trial.

Introduction: Two-point discrimination (2PD) test can be used to assess both clinical condition and the effects of therapy in carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) patients.

Purpose Of The Study: To determine whether there are specific differences in 2PD between symptomatic and asymptomatic hands in CTS patients and to evaluate the impact of 2 therapy regimes on 2PD in patients with CTS.