Overview
The investigators are conducting a trial that evaluates the feasibility of telehealth group pain reprocessing therapy (PRT), with no comparison group, for the treatment of chronic back pain in a population of veterans. PRT is a psychotherapy for chronic pain that aims to help patients reconceptualize their pain as a non-dangerous signal. It has been shown to be effective in a previous RCT (n=151).
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria:
- At least 6 months of back pain with last week average back pain at least 4/10
- Able to attend at least 7/8 telehealth group sessions
- Access to safe living space, quite room, reliable internet, and electronic device that can be used to attend telehealth therapy sessions.
Exclusion Criteria:
- Leg pain that is worse than back pain
- Suicide attempt, SI, HI, or inpatient psychiatric hospitalization in the past 5 years
- Not receiving/has not received disability or workers compensation related to back pain in the past 2 years.
- Is not currently involved in litigation regarding chronic back pain.
- Current misuse or overuse of alcohol or drugs
- Major surgery or other major medical events in the next 6 months
- Known vertebral/spinal fracture or tumor.
- Back surgery within last 2 years
- Difficulty controlling bowel movements
- Current or recent diagnosis of cancer
- Current or recent diagnosis of severe cardiovascular disease
- Unexplained or unintended greater than 20 pound weight loss in the past year
- Diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis, polymyalgia rheumatica, scleroderma, Lupus, polymyositis, or other specific inflammatory disorders