Parolini Franciele, Becker Klaus, Goethel Márcio, Fernandes Ricardo J, Fonseca Hélder, Ervilha Ulysses F, Vilas-Boas João Paulo, Santos Rubim
Center for Rehabilitation Research (CIR), ESS, Polytechnic of Porto, Rua Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, 4249-015 Porto, Portugal.
Porto Biomechanics Laboratory, Center of Research, 4200-450 Porto, Portugal.
Healthcare (Basel). 2025 Jun 18;13(12):1471. doi: 10.3390/healthcare13121471.
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Psychological factors play a crucial role in the experience of acute low back pain and may influence functional outcomes. However, the interplay between these factors and levels of physical activity remains poorly understood.
This cross-sectional observational study examined the relationship between psychological variables and functional disability in individuals with acute low back pain, considering different levels of physical activity. Data were collected from 1021 participants through an online platform between 8 June 2022 and 8 April 2023. Standardized instruments were used to assess functional limitations, emotional distress (depression, anxiety, and stress), daily pain catastrophizing, and physical activity levels. A canonical correlation analysis was conducted to explore the multivariate associations between psychological and functional variables.
There was a statistically significant association between higher levels of emotional distress and greater functional impairment related to low back pain. This association was observed in both the light-physical-activity group (canonical coefficient = 0.266; = 0.017), the moderate-physical-activity group (0.237; = 0.092), and the vigorous-physical-activity group (0.177; = 0.013). Participants engaging in vigorous physical activity exhibited more favorable psychological profiles and lower functional disability compared to those with lower levels of activity.
Regular and vigorous physical activity appears to be a protective factor for mental health and may help reduce functional disability in individuals with acute low back pain. These findings underscore the importance of considering physical activity levels when addressing psychological and functional outcomes in this population.
背景/目的：心理因素在急性下背痛的体验中起着关键作用，并可能影响功能结局。然而，这些因素与身体活动水平之间的相互作用仍知之甚少。
这项横断面观察性研究考察了急性下背痛患者心理变量与功能障碍之间的关系，并考虑了不同的身体活动水平。2022年6月8日至2023年4月8日期间，通过在线平台从1021名参与者收集数据。使用标准化工具评估功能限制、情绪困扰（抑郁、焦虑和压力）、日常疼痛灾难化和身体活动水平。进行典型相关分析以探索心理和功能变量之间的多变量关联。
较高水平的情绪困扰与下背痛相关的更大功能损害之间存在统计学上的显著关联。在轻度身体活动组（典型系数=0.266；P=0.017）、中度身体活动组（0.237；P=0.092）和剧烈身体活动组（0.177；P=0.013）中均观察到这种关联。与活动水平较低的参与者相比，进行剧烈身体活动的参与者表现出更有利的心理状况和更低的功能障碍。
规律且剧烈的身体活动似乎是心理健康的保护因素，可能有助于减少急性下背痛患者的功能障碍。这些发现强调了在解决该人群的心理和功能结局时考虑身体活动水平的重要性。
