Assessing Pain Levels Using Bioelectrical Impedance in Low Back Pain Patients: Clinical Performance Evaluation.

Background/objectives: Musculoskeletal pain is one of the leading causes of years lived with disability worldwide and has a negative impact on daily life and quality of life.

Methods: The purpose of this study was to analyze the electrical characteristics of back pain by measuring and calculating bioelectrical impedance variables (R, Z, PA) in 85 subjects (45 in the Healthy group and 40 in the LBP group). Additionally, impedance measurements were conducted on 20 subjects (10 in the Young group and 10 in the Older group) to assess the impact of aging.

Results: Bioelectrical impedance parameter values were higher in cases of back pain, and correlation analysis showed that there was a statistically significant difference between the Healthy and LBP groups ( < 0.05). A positive correlation was found between impedance parameters and pain related indices (ODI, RMDQ, VAS) (mean R, Z, PA: 0.68, 0.54, 0.75), with BMI positively correlating only with PA (0.493). Diagnostic accuracy for detecting back pain exceeded 95% (R, Z, PA: 0.984, 0.984, 0.963).

Conclusions: Results indicated that aging did not significantly affect impedance values. The bioelectrical impedance measurement device used in this study, with its simultaneous diagnostic and therapeutic capabilities, proved useful for real-time pain diagnosis and treatment monitoring, highlighting its potential clinical utility.