Central Sensitization in Chronic Non-specific Low Back Pain

The possibility of the presence of central sensitization (CS) among chronic non-specific low back pain (CNSLBP) patients to predict treatment response by related outcome measures has not been adequately explored. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of ‘McKenzie exercise program’ (MEP) and ‘Conventional physiotherapy program’ (CPP) on various outcomes for subjects having CNSLBP with or without CS, investigate whether any difference in outcome was related to CS, pain, pressure pain threshold, disability, fear-avoidance beliefs, trunk flexors & extensors muscles endurance, and Global rating of change scores for overall improvements. The present study tests whether MEP reduces CS better in CNSLBP patients having CS compared to CPP. McKenzie exercises are effective in reducing central sensitization, pain, disability, and fear-avoidance beliefs but they do not improve trunk flexors and extensors endurance in CNSLBP patients with central sensitization.