Telehealth Outreach for Chronic Back Pain

Summary

Two separate double double blind, randomized, parallel groups, two-arm, 8 week clinical trials with 6-moth follow-up were conducted using identical inclusion/exclusion criteria and assessment batteries. In both studies patients had chronic low back pain of non-neoplastic origin. In both studies patients were randomized to one of two conditions, either a Cognitive Behavioral-based Therapy or a control condition, a supportive (Rogerian) psychotherapy. Both the cognitive-behavioral and supportive psychotherapy conditions consisted of home-based, telephone supported treatment, with 10 hours of contact time delivered over 8 weeks. In the first study (Study 1) the behavioral and Rogerian interventions were delivered by a licensed psychologist. In the second (Study 2) the interventions were delivered by a medical primary care nurse.

Conditions

• Pain
• Back Pain

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy-Psychologist-Delivered

Cognitive behavioral self-management skills training actively teaches techniques to evaluate and manage symptoms; treatment was delivered by a psychologist

BEHAVIORAL

Supportive Psychotherapy-Psychologist-Delivered

Supportive Psychotherapy was based on Rogerian Therapy techniques. Rogerian therapy encourages self-identification of goals and solutions using a supportive but not didactic approach; it was administered by a psychologist

BEHAVIORAL

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Nurse-Delivered

Cognitive behavioral self-management skills training actively teaches techniques to evaluate and manage symptoms; treatment was delivered by a nurse

BEHAVIORAL

Supportive Psychotherapy-Nurse-Delivered

Supportive Psychotherapy was based on Rogerian Therapy techniques. Rogerian Therapy encourages self-identification of goals and solutions using a supportive but not didactic approach; it was delivered by a nurse

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of California, San Diego

  collaborator OTHER

• VA Office of Research and Development

  lead FED

Principal Investigators

• Joseph H. Atkinson, MD · VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

TRIPLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Max Age

75 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2008-03-31

Primary Completion

2015-12-31

Completion

2015-12-31

Countries

• United States

Study Locations