Distribution of psychological aspects in subgroups of chronic low back pain patients divided on the score of physical performance

Abstract

This study investigates whether different subgroups of chronic low back pain patients (CLBPs) differ in psychological aspects assessed with the Symptom Checklist (SCL-90) and the Multidimensional Pain Questionnaire (MPI-DLV). Four subgroups of CLBPs are discerned using the results of lumbar dynamometry: 1. Patients with performances lower than healthy subjects (expected performance; n = 45). 2. Patients with performances comparable to healthy subjects (normal performance; n = 18). 3. Patients with inconsistent test behaviour (submaximal performance; n = 6). 4. Patients with performances that could be either maximal or submaximal (gray-zone performance; n = 10). Significant differences in psy..