Feasibility and Acceptability of Group Pain Reprocessing Therapy for Veterans With Chronic Neck/Back Pain

Feasibility and Acceptability of Group Pain Reprocessing Therapy for Veterans With Chronic Neck/Back Pain

The investigators are conducting a trial that evaluates the feasibility of telehealth group pain reprocessing therapy (PRT), with no comparison group, for the treatment of chronic back pain in a population of veterans. PRT is a psychotherapy for chronic pain that aims to help patients reconceptualize their pain as a non-dangerous signal. It has been shown to be effective in a previous RCT (n=151).

Inclusion Criteria:

• At least 6 months of back pain with last week average back pain at least 4/10
• Able to attend at least 7/8 telehealth group sessions
• Access to safe living space, quite room, reliable internet, and electronic device that can be used to attend telehealth therapy sessions.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Leg pain that is worse than back pain
• Suicide attempt, SI, HI, or inpatient psychiatric hospitalization in the past 5 years
• Not receiving/has not received disability or workers compensation related to back pain in the past 2 years.
• Is not currently involved in litigation regarding chronic back pain.
• Current misuse or overuse of alcohol or drugs
• Major surgery or other major medical events in the next 6 months
• Known vertebral/spinal fracture or tumor.
• Back surgery within last 2 years
• Difficulty controlling bowel movements
• Current or recent diagnosis of cancer
• Current or recent diagnosis of severe cardiovascular disease
• Unexplained or unintended greater than 20 pound weight loss in the past year
• Diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis, polymyalgia rheumatica, scleroderma, Lupus, polymyositis, or other specific inflammatory disorders