The main objective of this study is: • To evaluate the immediate hypoalgesic effect of an aerobic exercise session of different intensities in patients with chronic low back pain; The secondary objective is: • To explore whether pain intensity, level of physical activity, functionality, catastrophizing, kinesiophobia, anxiety and depression interfere with the immediate hypoalgesic effect of exercise.
There will be 3 groups of participants, an asymptomatic control group that will not perform any exercise and two groups of individuals with low back pain. One group will perform exercise at 90% VO2máx and the other at 60% VO2máx. All the three groups will be assessed at baseline for pressure pain threshold, pain intensity, pain phenotype, disability, kinesiophobia, catastrophizing, anxiety and depression, physical activity, and aerobic capacity. In addition, pressure pain threshold and pain intensity will also be assessed at post-intervention.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
83
15 minutes of exercise at 60% VO2 max.
15 minutes of exercise at 90% VO2 max.
Private Clinics of Physiotherapy
Aveiro, Portugal
Pressure pain threshold
Pressure pain threshold measured with an algometer in Kgf
Time frame: Baseline
Pressure pain threshold
Pressure pain threshold measured with an algometer in Kgf
Time frame: Post-intervention (approximately 45 minutes after baseline)
Aerobic capacity
Measured with the Chester Step Test (CST) which gives aerobic capacity and allows the calculation of percentage of VO2 max.
Time frame: Baseline
Physical activity
Measured with the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Results can be reported in categories (low activity levels, moderate activity levels or high activity levels) or as a continuous variable (MET minutes a week).
Time frame: Baseline
Anxiety and depression
Measured with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. This scale has 2 subscales, one for Anxiety and one for Depression both scored 0 to 21 and higher values represent higher levels of anxiety and depression.
Time frame: Baseline
Catastrophizing
Measured with the Catastrophizing Scale (range 0-52 and higher values are indicative of higher pain catastrophizing)
Time frame: Baseline
Fear of movement
Measured with the TAMPA Scale of Kinesiophobia (range: 13-52 and higher values are indicative of higher levels of fear of movement)
Time frame: Baseline
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Disability
Measured with the Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire (range: 0 to 24, with higher values indicating higher disability)
Time frame: Base
Pain phenotype
Measured with the Pain DETECT Scale. The final score between -1 and 38, indicates the likelihood of a neuropathic pain component. A score of ) 12 indicates that pain is unlikely to have a neuropathic component (\< 15%), while a score of \* 19 suggests that pain is likely to have a neuropathic component (\> 90%).
Time frame: Baseline
Symptoms of central sensitization
Measured with the Central Sensitization Inventory. Score ranges from 0 to 100 and higher scores indicate higher symptoms of central sensitization.
Time frame: Baseline
Pain intensity
Assessed using the Visual Analogue Scale from 0 to 100 mm
Time frame: Baseline
Pain intensity
Assessed using the Visual Analogue Scale from 0 to 100 mm
Time frame: Post-intervention (approximately 45 minutes after baseline)