A recent study published in the Lancet (http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736%2809%2962164-4/fulltext) has found that Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is of benefit to people with chronic lower back pain, helping to improve the management of pain and maintaining physical activity.

Chronic back pain, particularly of the lower back, is a common disabling condition, significantly affecting quality of life for many people and often affecting performance (and often attendance) at work.

Current best practice for caring for people with persistent non-specific back pain has generally focused on lifestyle modifications, such as encouraging the patient to remain active, or manipulative therapies of some sort, such as physiotherapy.

The study reported in the Lancet was a peer-reviewed, randomised controlled trial (which is the most robust, accurate way of assessing whether a treatment is effective or not), investigating whether treatment was more effective if patients also attended group CBT support sessions.

The trial compared the outcomes from a one-off advice session given by a nurse or physiotherapist with the same advice session combined with CBT group support sessions.  If found that patients given the CBT had improved physical fitness and quality of life, when compared to patients given one-off advice.

The CBT support sessions in the study targeted physical activity and avoidance of activity, including countering negative thoughts about activity, providing advice on different intensity activities and also sharing guidance on relaxation techniques.
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