Physical Therapy May Be Beneficial for Chronic Low Back Pain

Follow Drugslib on

By Elana Gotkine HealthDay Reporter

Medically reviewed by Carmen Pope, Senior Medical Editor, B. Pharm. Last updated on April 27, 2026.

via HealthDay

MONDAY, April 27, 2026 -- For adults with chronic low back pain (cLBP), physical therapy (PT) may be beneficial as first-line therapy, according to a study published online April 21 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

Julie M. Fritz, Ph.D., P.T., from the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, and colleagues compared the effectiveness of PT and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) as first-stage treatment and switching treatments versus mindfulness as second-stage treatment. Adults with cLBP were randomly assigned to PT or CBT in stage I (374 and 375, respectively); among nonresponders, 210 were randomly assigned to mindfulness and 213 to eight weeks of stage II treatment switching (110 to PT and 103 to CBT).

The researchers found greater improvement in function in the PT group after 10 weeks (adjusted mean Oswestry Disability Index difference, 2.8, which was lower than the minimum important difference of 6); no significant difference was seen in pain intensity. No differences were seen in stage II treatments for nonresponders for either function or pain intensity after 52 weeks.

"We found some benefits to PT as the first treatment offered to patients but could not detect subgroup differences and effect sizes were small. Our results support PT as a first-line option for cLBP, and no differences in potential benefits of second-line care with mindfulness or switching for nonresponders. There is a need for studies examining how best to implement care pathways that improve treatment initiation," the authors write.

Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)

Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions.

Source: HealthDay

Posted : 2026-04-28 02:13

Read more

Disclaimer

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Drugslib.com is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Drugslib.com information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Drugslib.com does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Drugslib.com's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Drugslib.com's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners.

The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Drugslib.com does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Drugslib.com provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Popular Keywords