The Relationship Between Pain Catastrophizing, Kinesiophobia, Central Sensitization, and Cognitive Function in Patients With Chronic Low Back Pain

This study demonstrates that PC and kinesiophobia have negative influences on cognitive performance in those with CLBP. Specifically, attentional interference, inhibitory control, set-shifting, and sustained working memory functions were affected. These deficits have the potential to influence how patients respond to therapeutic interventions with a cognitive focus (eg, pain neuroscience education, cognitive-behavioral therapy) and highlight an important variable that should be considered when managing CLBP.