Increased Insomnia Symptoms Predict the Onset of Back Pain among Employed Adults

Abstract

BackgroundBack pain is among the most prevalent pain disorders causing chronic disability among adults, and insomnia is a common co-morbidity. However, whether insomnia precedes back pain or vice versa remains unclear. The current study tested the temporal association between insomnia and back pain.MethodsA longitudinal design was used to investigate whether changes in insomnia over time predict the onset of back pain and vice versa. The study was conducted on a cohort of active healthy working adults (N = 2,131, 34% women) at three time points (T1, T2, and T3) over a period of 3.7 years (range = 2.2–5.12) years. Logistic regression analysis was used to test whether increased insomnia symptoms from T1 to T2 predicted the onset of new back pain. Ordinary least squares regression was used to test whether the existence of back pain at T2 predicted an increase in insomnia from T2 to T3.ResultsThe results indicated that after controlling for socioeconomic variables, self-reported health, lifestyle behaviors, and anthropometrics, a T1–T2 increase in insomnia symptoms was associated with a 1.40-fold increased risk of back pain at T3 (OR = 1.40; 95% CI = 1.10–1.71). No support was found for reverse causation; i.e., that back pain predicts subsequent increase in insomnia.ConclusionsInsomnia appears to be a risk factor in the development of back pain in healthy individuals. However, no evidence of reverse causation was found.

Multimodal Care in the Management of a Patient With Chronic Tendinopathy of the Biceps Femoris: A Case Report

“…However, psychosomatic symptoms can manifest from pain, and any reduction in pain can reduce the symptoms of insomnia and anxiety. 15,16 Therefore, in our patient, the alleviation of pain from dry needling and exercise may have been responsible for the relief of the symptoms noted previously; yet, the auricular spleen, shen men, and sympathetic points are classically used for relaxation, and their potential effects cannot be diminished, especially since the patient experienced her psychosomatic symptoms prior to the onset of her chronic pain. 17 The calming effects of auricular acupuncture were demonstrated in a study utilizing 10 medical students prior to an examination.…”

Sleep Quality, Quality of Life and Insomnia Among Patients with Chronic Low Back Pain Compared to Normal Individuals

“…The results of the related studies are not consistent. In some studies, sleep problems has been considered as risk factor for development of low back pain (Agmon , & Armon 2014). Yet, some others believe that any pain producing condition affects on sleep problems, insomnia, and quality of life in an unspecific manner (Afkham Ebrahimi et al, 2008).…”

“…Low back pain is the most common chronic pain, too. If low back pain persists for more than 12 weeks, it is called chronic low back pain (Agmon, & Armon 2014;Kornu, Dao, Orozco, & Patel 2011).…”

“…Poor sleep may predispose the person to low back pain. But, low back pain may also produce sleep disturbance (Agmon , & Armon 2014;Alsaadi 2011;Marty et al, 2008). Cognitive behavioral therapy may alleviate low back pain and other chronic pains (Smith, & Haythornthwaite 2004).…”

Work-privacy conflict and musculoskeletal pain: a population-based test of a stress-sleep-mediation model

“…In nonexperimental studies, poor sleep predicts elevated psychosomatic complaints and onset of back pain (Agmon & Armon, 2014). Recently, McBeth, Lacey, and Wilkie (2014) reported results concerning sleep and MSP in a population-based prospective cohort-study.…”