Lumbar Temperature Map of Elderly Individuals with Chronic Low Back Pain—An Infrared Thermographic Analysis

TL;DR

This study explores the use of infrared thermography to assess chronic low back pain in elderly individuals but finds limited correlation with pain and function.

Contribution

The study evaluates the clinical applicability of infrared thermography for chronic low back pain in elderly individuals, highlighting its limitations.

Findings

No significant differences in lumbar temperature patterns were observed among participants.

Cooler thermal readings were associated with lower fatigue levels and higher BMI.

IRT showed no strong correlation between thermal patterns and pain intensity or functional capacity.

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Chronic low back pain (CLBP) is a prevalent condition that significantly impacts the aging population. Among non-invasive assessment tools, infrared thermography (IRT) has been highlighted as a radiation-free method to evaluate thermal variations in the lumbar region. However, its applicability in clinical practice and correlation with functional and pain-related parameters remain unclear. This study aimed to analyze the thermal profile of the lumbar region in elderly individuals with CLBP and explore potential correlations between lumbar temperature patterns and clinical factors such as pain intensity and functional capacity. Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was performed in an outpatient setting. The population included thirty-one elderly individuals diagnosed with CLBP. IRT was used to assess the lumbar temperature distribution, including participants who reported pain radiating to the lower limbs. Pain intensity was measured using a numerical rating scale (0–10). The functional assessments included spine mobility tests and validated questionnaires evaluating clinical characteristics. Results: No significant differences in lumbar temperature patterns were observed among the participants. Additionally, no correlation was found between pain intensity and functional capacity based on a thermographic analysis. Nonetheless, individuals reporting lower fatigue levels and those with a higher body mass index (BMI) were generally associated with cooler thermal readings on the lumbar region’s thermographic maps. Conclusions: These findings suggest that IRT may require methodological refinements, including optimized technical specifications and image acquisition protocols, to enhance its applicability in assessing CLBP. Indeed, IRT might not be the most effective tool for evaluating pain-related thermal changes in elderly populations. Further research is needed to clarify its role in clinical assessments.

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