Psychological techniques for managing chronic nonspecific low back pain

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) helps patients develop adaptive coping behaviours and strategies to self-manage their pain. Cognitive behavioural therapy is effective for persisting and chronic nonspecific low back pain and should be considered early if psychosocial factors are identified. Multiple sessions of CBT may not be required—a recent randomised trial found that a single 2-hour class to rapidly equip individuals with pain self-management skills (based upon CBT and incorporating pain education, self-regulatory skills and mindfulness) was noninferior to eight 2-hour sessions of CBT¹Darnall, 2021. In this trial, there were significant improvements in pain catastrophising as well as pain intensity and pain interference.

For advice on other psychological techniques that may be helpful (eg mindfulness, motivational interviewing for pain management), see Psychological techniques for managing pain.