Cited by 217Musculoskeletal pain and rehabilitationPain Management and TreatmentPregnancy-related medical research

Cognitive functional therapy compared with a group-based exercise and education intervention for chronic low back pain: a multicentre randomised controlled trial (RCT)

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O'Keeffe, Mary, O'Sullivan, Peter, Purtill, Helen, Bargary, Norma, O'Sullivan, Kieran·2020·British Journal of Sports Medicine

Abstract

Background: One-size-fits-all interventions reduce chronic low back pain (CLBP) a small amount. An individualised intervention called cognitive functional therapy (CFT) was superior for CLBP compared with manual therapy and exercise in one randomised controlled trial (RCT). However, systematic reviews show group interventions are as effective as one-to-one interventions for musculoskeletal pain. This RCT investigated whether a physiotherapist-delivered individualised intervention (CFT) was more effective than physiotherapist-delivered group-based exercise and education for individuals with CLBP. Methods: 206 adults with CLBP were randomised to either CFT (n=106) or group-based exercise and education (n=100). The length of the CFT intervention varied according to the clinical progression of participants (mean=5 treatments). The group intervention consisted of up to 6 classes (mean=4 classes) over 6–8 weeks. Primary outcomes were disability and pain intensity in the past week at 6 months and 12months postrandomisation. Analysis was by intention-to-treat using linear mixed models. Results: CFT reduced disability more than the group intervention at 6 months (mean difference, 8.65; 95% CI 3.66 to 13.64; p=0.001), and at 12 months (mean difference, 7.02; 95% CI 2.24 to 11.80; p=0.004). There were no between-group differences observed in pain intensity at 6 months (mean difference, 0.76; 95% CI -0.02 to 1.54; p=0.056) or 12 months (mean difference, 0.65; 95% CI -0.20 to 1.50; p=0.134). Conclusion: CFT reduced disability, but not pain, at 6 and 12 months compared with the group-based exercise and education intervention. Future research should examine whether the greater reduction in disability achieved by CFT renders worthwhile differences for health systems and patients. Trial registration number: ClinicalTrials.gov registry (NCT02145728 ).

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  1. [5]National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) Low back pain and sciatica in over 16s: assessment and management, 2016 Available: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng59 [Accessed June 2018]. 27929617
  2. [45]Cohen J Pp. 79–81 in statistical power analysis for the behavioral sciences. Hillsdale, NJ Lawrence Erlbaum Associates; 1988.

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Authors
O'Keeffe, M., O'Sullivan, P., Purtill, H., Bargary, N., & O'Sullivan, K.
Affiliations
  • Institute for Musculoskeletal Health, Sydney School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
  • School of Physiotherapy and Exercise Science, Curtin University, Shenton Park, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
  • University of Limerick (IE)
  • Health Research Institute, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
Venue
British Journal of Sports Medicine
Publisher
BMJ
Published
2019-10-19
Volume
54
Issue
13
Pages
782-789
ISSN
  • 0306-3674 (ISSN-L)
  • 1473-0480
OpenAlex
W2981005913
Cited by
217
References
54
Citations by year
2026: 21 · 2025: 27 · 2024: 55 · 2023: 45 · 2022: 27 · 2021: 27 · 2020: 14 · 2019: 1
FWCI
10.69
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • British Journal of Sports Medicine (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Cork Open Research Archive (University College Cork, Ireland) (publishedVersion, other-oa)
  • University of Limerick Institutional Repository (University of Limerick) (acceptedVersion, cc-by-nc-sa)
  • University of Limerick Institutional Repository (University of Limerick) (acceptedVersion, other-oa)
  • Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
  • Arrow@dit (Dublin Institute of Technology) (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc-sa)
  • Arrow@dit (Dublin Institute of Technology) (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc)
  • Figshare (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc-sa)
  • HighWire Press Open Archive (submittedVersion)
  • Lenus, The Irish Health Repository (Dr Steevens Hospital Library) (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc)
  • University of Limerick Institutional Repository (University of Limerick)
Funders
  • University of Limerick
  • Irish Research Council
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pharmacology › Musculoskeletal pain and rehabilitation
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine › Pain Management and Treatment
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Pregnancy-related medical research
Keywords
cognitive functional therapy, chronic low back pain, disability, pain intensity, musculoskeletal pain
MeSH terms
Adult, Aged, Combined Modality Therapy, Exercise Therapy, Female, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Patient Education as Topic, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Low Back Pain, Intention to Treat Analysis, Chronic Pain

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