The Effectiveness of Non-surgical Interventions for Managing Chronic Low Back Pain.
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Introduction: Chronic low back pain (CLBP) is a widespread condition with a substantial effect on quality of life and work capacity. Non-drug, non-surgical options - physical therapy (PT), cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), and acupuncture - appear promising, yet stronger empirical evidence is still needed to confirm their value. Objectives: This study set out to compare PT, CBT, and acupuncture against standard care for the management of CLBP. Materials and Methods: Two hundred participants with a diagnosis of CLBP took part in a randomized controlled trial and were allocated to one of four arms - PT, CBT, acupuncture, or standard-care control. Pain intensity, functional disability, quality of life, and psychological well-being were recorded at baseline and again at 6 and 12 weeks, using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), 36-item short form survey (SF-36), and beck depression inventory (BDI), respectively; outcomes were compared using analysis of variance with post hoc testing. Results: All three active arms outperformed the control. Both PT and acupuncture produced marked reductions in pain (VAS) and disability (ODI) scores (P < 0.01), whereas CBT produced its largest gains in psychological well-being (BDI) (P < 0.01) alongside more modest gains in pain and disability. SF-36 scores rose across every domain in the treatment arms, with PT and acupuncture producing the strongest gains in the physical-functioning and pain domains (P < 0.01). Conclusion: PT, CBT, and acupuncture each represent a viable non-surgical option for CLBP, delivering meaningful gains in pain, function, and psychological well-being. Incorporating them into routine care could support a more holistic model of CLBP management, improving outcomes while lowering dependence on drug-based treatment.
Source: PubMed
Institution: ESIC Hospital
Language: English
Field: Health Professions
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7225561999