A trial of an activating intervention for chronic back pain in primary care and physical therapy settings

In primary care and physical therapy settings, we evaluated an intervention for chronic back pain patients which incorporated fear reducing and activating techniques. Primary care patients seen for back pain in primary care were screened to identify persons with significant activity limitations 8–10 weeks after their visit. Eligible and willing patients were randomized ( N=240). A brief, individualized program to reduce fear and increase activity levels was delivered by a psychologist and physical therapists. Over a 2 year follow-up period, intervention patients reported greater reductions in pain-related fear ( P