Cognitive behavioral therapy in patients with low back pain in public health: A pilot study

Abstract

Low back pain is a major public health problem due to the physical limitations it produces and the comorbidity with mental problems. The aim of this study was to apply a cognitive behavioral group treatment of six sessions in a public health rehabilitation service, to test its effects on pain, disability, anxiety, depression, fear and avoidance beliefs, catastrophizing, and pain coping strategies. The sample consisted of 5 patients from a public hospital in Valencia diagnosed with low back pain (M = 57 years), who had been suffering pain for an average of 5.9 years. The results showed a reduction of disability, of the use of maladaptive strategies and fear-avoidance beliefs, indicating that psychological aspects have a great impact on low back pain and that it is possible to apply psychological interventions for this condition in the public health system in Spain.