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Patients with back pain who receive physical and psychosocial interventions seem to fare better than those who receive usual or minimal care, but which patients are likely to benefit from these interventions is unclear. Using a validated nine-item screening tool, researchers stratified 851 English patients with uncomplicated back pain according to risk for persistent disability. The tool assigns points for radiation of pain to the legs, coexisting neck pain, pain affecting ability to walk and dress, and psychological issues (worry, hopelessness, lack of enjoyment).
The patients were randomized to a risk-stratified intervention or to routine care (control). In the intervention group, low-risk patients (26%) received reading material and atten…