Chronic Back pain: The latest research
Recent research on back pain has yielded several important findings:
- Brain-based treatment for chronic back pain: A study published in JAMA Network Open found that pain reprocessing therapy (PRT), which teaches people to perceive pain signals as less threatening, can be effective in reducing chronic back pain intensity. After PRT treatment, two-thirds of patients reported being pain-free or nearly so, compared to only 20% of placebo controls
- Understanding pain attribution: The same study revealed that shifting patients’ perspectives about the brain’s role in chronic pain can lead to better outcomes. When patients understood their pain as due to brain processes rather than solely physical causes, they experienced greater reduction in pain intensity
- Walking and education program: A new study demonstrated that a program combining walking and education can effectively reduce the recurrence of low back pain. This intervention decreased the risk of recurrence by 28% for pain limiting daily activity and 43% for pain leading to seeking professional care
- Persistence of low back pain: A systematic review and meta-analysis of 95 studies found that many people with persistent low back pain (more than 12 weeks) continue to have moderate-to-high levels of pain and disability, even after the initial injury has healed.
- Reducing sitting time: A recent study showed that reducing daily sitting time prevented back pain from worsening over a six-month period, strengthening the understanding of the link between sedentary behavior and back pain
- Ongoing research: The Back Pain Consortium (BACPAC) Research Program is conducting various studies to develop more effective and personalized therapies for chronic low back pain. These include investigating biomarkers, developing digital health platforms, and exploring non-invasive treatment options like focused ultrasound technology
These findings highlight the importance of considering both physical and psychological factors in treating back pain, as well as the potential for non-invasive interventions to provide significant relief.
