RELIABILITY AND ERROR OF MEASUREMENTS OF SENSORY-MOTOR CHANGES IN INDIVIDUALS WITH CHRONIC LOW BACK PAIN AND ASYMPTOMATIC

• Grant number: 23/08908-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: December 01, 2023
• End date: February 28, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy
• Principal Investigator: Thaís Cristina Chaves
• Grantee: Ana Carolina de Jacomo Claudio
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde (CCBS). Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). São Carlos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Studies have shown that changes in trunk perception, decreased body mapping and tactile acuity in individuals with chronic low back pain (CLBP) may be due to changes in the central nervous system. These dysfunctions are evaluated through sensorimotor tests, but few studies have investigated their reliability and those that have investigated have low methodological quality. In addition, there is no description in the literature of test measurement error in individuals with CLBP. The measurement properties (PROMs) of the Fremantle Back Awareness questionnaires (FreBAQ) and the Central Sensitization Inventory (CSI-9) have not yet been tested in the Brazilian population. Thus, the objective of the study is to verify the reliability and error measurement of sensorimotor dysfunction tests in asymptomatic participants with CLBP, in addition to testing the PROMs of the FreBAQ and CSI-9 questionnaires. This is a longitudinal study, which will be submitted to the ethics committee of the Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar). The sample will consist of 200 individuals of both sexes, between 18 and 65 years old, who will be divided into two groups: 100 participants in the DLC group (GDLC) and 100 participants in the asymptomatic group (GA). The two-point discrimination test, judgment of laterality and body image design will be used. For statistical analysis of reliability, the intraclass correlation coefficient will be used and for the error measure, the minimum detectable difference. Verification of PROMs from the FreBAQ and CSI-9 questionnaires will involve checking reliability, internal consistency, structural validity, and error measure, in addition to criterion validity for the CSI-9. It is expected that the results of the study can provide reference values for clinical practice and research, in addition to providing data from these measures for conducting clinical trials that address sensorimotor training and that verification of the PROMs of FreBAQ and CSI- 9, may contribute to its use in the Brazilian population.