Improved Function Persists at 2 Years with Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy Among Patients with Chronic Low Back Pain

A 2016 randomized trial of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) or cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) versus usual care showed benefits associated with MBSR or CBT for as long as 1 year in 342 patients with chronic low back pain (NEJM JW Gen Med May 1 2016 and JAMA 2016; 315:1240). MBSR and CBT were provided in eight weekly 2-hour group sessions. Now, the researchers report 2-year results. More than 80% of participants were available for follow-up at 2 years, although fewer than 60% of CBT and MBSR participants completed at least six of the eight prescribed sessions.

At 2 years, all three groups had improvements from baseline in function and back pain “bothersomeness,” although most of the improvement occurred during the first 8 weeks. …