Cognitive-behavioural Treatment of Chronic Back Pain

Study to Compare a Cognitive-behavioral Treatment With a Cognitive-behavioral Treatment With Biofeedback Elements to Patients With Chronic (Low) Back Pain

The purpose of the study:

• to compare two cognitive-behavioral treatments

128 patients suffering from chronic back pain were randomly assigned to either Wait List Control, Cognitive Behavioral Treatment or Cognitive Behavioral Treatment and Biofeedback.

Measures were conducted 6 months before treatment (Wait List Control) immediately before and after treatment and at 6-months follow-up.

25 weekly 1-hr sessions of individualized outpatient cognitive behavioral treatment of chronic back pain

Treatment elements:

Cognitive treatment: identification, evaluation and correction of dysfunctional beliefs about themselves and pain by cognitive restructuring, problem-solving training and coping skills training

Behavioural treatment: increasing activity levels (sports, social activities, work), reducing medication intake and unnecessary health care utilization Relaxation training: progressive muscle relaxation, biofeedback.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Back pain since 6 months

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients with psychosis, borderline psychopathy, drug dependence i.e. alcohol