Network Meta-Analysis Identifies Best Psychosocial Interventions for Chronic Low Back Pain

Guidelines for treating patients with chronic, nonspecific low back pain (LBP) recommend both exercise and psychosocial therapies, but the comparative effectiveness of psychological interventions for LBP is unknown. Researchers conducted a network meta-analysis of 97 randomized, controlled trials in which different psychological interventions (alone or in combination with other treatments) were compared with nonpsychological interventions (e.g., physical therapy [PT], generalist care, no treatment) in >13,000 adults with chronic, nonspecific LBP.

Compared with PT alone, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) plus PT was most effective for improving physical function (mean difference, 20 points on a standardized 100-point scale) within 2 months a…