Patients with chronic low back (cLBP) pain report reduced physical function and ability to participate in social roles and are more likely to use opioid pain medications. While self-management interventions have been shown to support these patients, effectiveness has been limited due to poor patient engagement. "Patient activation" encompasses the skills, knowledge, and motivation that a person has to manage the person's health. Supporting patient activation may improve the effectiveness of self-management for cLBP.

In this single-masked pilot study of adults with cLBP, patients were randomized to receive either no intervention (control) or 6 weekly sessions of an evidence-based web-based self-management program (SMP) with or without health behavior change counseling (HBCC) using motivational interviewing. Participants were assessed at baseline and at 12 and 26 weeks using the Patient Activation Measure, Oswestry Disability Index and Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) physical function, social role participation, and pain interference. The investigators assessed acceptability and feasibility based on recruitment, session attendance, and follow-up.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Adults (18+ years of age)
• Seen in primary or specialty care practice for non-specific low back pain
• Chronic low back pain per the NIH Task Force on Research Standards for cLBP
• Worst back pain of at least 4/10 points
• Oswestry disability index of at least 24%
• English speaking

Exclusion Criteria:

• History of lumbar spine decompression/laminectomy or fusion surgery in the past 6 months
• Possible non-musculoskeletal cause for LBP symptoms diagnosis at baseline
• "Red flag" LBP diagnosis in the previous 6 months (e.g., cauda equina syndrome, osteomyelitis, or spinal neoplasm)
• Neurological disorder resulting in moderate to severe movement dysfunction
• Presence of any psychotic disorder

The outcomes assessors were masked to treatment assignment