Intensive Patient Education May Not Be Helpful for Acute Low Back Pain

When researchers asked patients, “How reassured do you feel that there is no serious condition causing your back pain?” they found pain attitudes and reassurance at Week 1 was higher in the patient education group. This effect on pain attitudes persisted at 12 months.

Lara C. Pullen, PhD, is a medical writer based in the Chicago area.

Reference

1. Traeger AC, Lee H, Hübscher M, et al. Effect of intensive patient education vs. placebo patient education on outcomes in patients with acute low back pain: A randomized clinical trial. JAMA Neurol. 2018 Nov 5. doi: 10.1001/jamaneurol.2018.3376. [Epub ahead of print]