Abstract
Introduction
Patients with non-specific chronic lower back pain (LBP) who do not improve after physical therapy have high levels of anxiety, depression, and kinesiophobia. This study examines the effect of anxiety on pain, functional disability, and psychological characteristics in patients with LBP.
Material and methods
A cross-sectional study was performed on 60 Saudi patients aged 18-65 years old with chronic nonspecific lower back pain. The data was acquired using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), Tampa Scale, The Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ), Fear-Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire (FABQ), Quality of Life using 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey questionnaire (RAND SF 36), and The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI).
Results
Thirty participants had a GAD score below 10, while the other 30 had scores above 10. Significant differences in pain intensity, psychological and disability function were noted between the two groups, as indicated by NPRS (z = −2.42, p-value = 0.01), Tampa scale (z = − 3.22, p-value = <0.001), RMDQ (z = −3.58, p-value = <0.001), PSQI (z = 0.32, p-value = 0.03), and FABQ (z = − 2.27, p-value = 0.02). The correlations between anxiety and pain intensity, level of disability, and psychological function were examined using Spearman’s correlation analysis.
Conclusions
Among patients with non-specific chronic LBP, anxiety influences pain intensity, psychological functioning, and disability. There is hence a need for comprehensive evaluations and tailored interventions by clinicians and physical therapists.