Both Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction and Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy Are Useful for Low Back Pain

Recommendations for nonpharmacological approaches to managing low back pain often focus on cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT); benefits of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) are less clear. In this Seattle study, researchers compared CBT or MBSR to usual care in 342 adults (mean age, 49) with moderate-to-severe back pain for ≥3 months (mean pain duration, 7 years). Patients were randomized to CBT (education about pain, emotion, sleep, and dysfunctional thoughts), MBSR (body awareness and meditation) or usual care. Both interventions were delivered in eight weekly 2-hour sessions. About half of each intervention group attended at least six sessions.

At 26 weeks, clinically meaningful improvements in functional limitation were achieved …