The EIM pain team is publishing again! This study assessed the presence of Central Sensitization with patients attending physical therapy. Read more and access the full paper below.
Abstract 
Background: Treating pain, especially chronic pain is clinically challenging. It has been suggested that pain be sub-classified as either nociceptive, peripheral neuropathic or central sensitization, to aid clinical decision-making to inform the treatment approach for specific pain conditions.
Objectives: To determine what percentage of patients attending physical therapy with musculoskeletal pain present with central sensitization and which patient factors may be predictive of central sensitization.
Methods: A convenience sample of adult patients (18-65) attending PT for musculoskeletal pain were asked to complete a demographic questionnaire and the central sensitization inventory.
Results: Two-hundred and forty-five patients completed the central sensitization inventory, resulting in a mean score of 26.88 ± 15.54. The majority of the patients were classified as “low” in regard to central sensitization scores and nearly one in five patients (n = 39; 17.3%) were classified as “high” in regard to central sensitization scores. The variables of ‘being disabled’ (β = 13.73), ‘currently experiencing feelings of depression’ (β = 9.35), and ‘identifying as female’ (β = 3.60), had the largest partial effects on central sensitization as individual variables
Conclusions: Approximately one in five patients attending PT for musculoskeletal pain present with a central sensitization inventory score of > 40, suggesting presence of central sensitization. Patients that reported feeling disabled, experiencing feelings of depression and ‘identifying as female’ were more likely to score > 40 on the central sensitization inventory. Central sensitization is relatively common in patients attending PT for musculoskeletal pain and various patient characteristics may suggest higher potential CSI scores at intake
Keywords: Central sensitization; Musculoskeletal pain; Physical therapy; Central sensitization inventory
Citation
Louw A, Hartman D, Weber B, Shuda D, Obert C, Louw H, et al. Central Sensitization in Patients Attending Physical Therapy for Musculoskeletal Disorders. Phys Med Rehabil Int. 2021; 8(5): 1194.
