From acute to chronic low back pain: the role of negative emotions

Low back pain (LBP) constitutes a persistent and burdensome condition, frequently intricately intertwined with negative emotional states. The focus of this study is to discern distinct patterns of negative emotions among individuals experiencing Acute Low Back Pain (ALBP) and Chronic Low Back Pain (CLBP), in comparison to a pain-free control group. The study endeavors to harness the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) models in evaluating the discriminatory capacity of these emotions within the groups, thus addressing the issue of pain chronicity. The participant cohort consisted of 54 chronic patients, 44 acute, and 51 pain-free individuals for comparison purposes. Using Artificial Neural Networks (ANN), the study unveiled discernible patterns of emotional association. Significant disparities in emotional experiences emerged between acute and chronic patients. Anxiety assumed an essential role following the onset of LBP, whereas in the chronic group, depression took precedence, accompanied by an escalation in both anger and anxiety-related comorbidity. It's crucial to emphasize the absence of discernible variations in pain intensity between chronic and acute patients. These findings hold considerable implications, as they contribute to the refinement of LBP diagnosis and proactively hinder its progression. By unraveling the intricate interplay between negative emotions and the temporal course of LBP, this study deepens our comprehension and lays the groundwork for interventions addressing both the physical and emotional dimensions. These insights provide valuable input for effective diagnostic and therapeutic strategies, thereby alleviating the burden of chronic LBP on individuals and healthcare systems.