Central and peripheral factors moderating pain effects on motor control and disability in chronic lumbosacral radicular pain

Functional outcomes in lumbosacral radicular pain are influenced by the interaction of central and peripheral factors. Enhanced sensory and motor cortical excitability, together with feedforward ipsilateral abdominal muscle activity, moderate the relationship between pain and disability, and are associated with better preservation of motor control. Contralateral APA activity may further modulate the effect of pain on motor control, although this influence was marginal.