Behavioral interventions were associated with reduced pain and daily opioid use and improved function and quality of life for up to 12 months among adults with opioid-treated chronic low back pain, according to a new randomized clinical trial.

Researchers have found that eight weeks of either mindfulness or cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) training led to meaningful improvements among adults with chronic low back pain that’s currently treated with opioids and had not responded to prior treatments. These behavioral therapies helped improve physical function and quality of life and reduce pain and opioid dosage in a randomized clinical trial. The benefits persisted for up to 12 months.

The findings were published in JAMA Network Open. This is the largest trial to date comparing mindfulness with CBT as treatments for opioid-treated chronic pain. In addition, the research team followed up with participants over a longer time period than many previous trials of mindfulness.

Pain is multifaceted, especially chronic pain that can last for months or years. Chronic low back pain is the most common form of chronic non-cancer pain that’s treated with opioids. Previous research has shown that adults with chronic pain may benefit from behavioral therapies, which can help people change their thoughts about and relationship to pain, but it’s been understudied, the researchers explained. Studies on behavioral therapies were generally small in size and evaluated benefits over the short-term.
Not into mindfulness or behavioral therapy? Hands-on, opioid-free expert back pain care by Doctors of Chiropractic (chiropractors) offers a simpler, readily available proven treatment.

Presented as a service to the community by: Union County Chiropractic Clinic, 110 Skyline Drive, Maynardville, TN (865) 992-7000 www.unioncountychiropractic.com