Pain reprocessing therapy could help those with mild chronic back pain

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2025-07-31 01:00

International

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Pain reprocessing therapy (PRT) could help provide long-term pain reduction for those with chronic back pain, according to international researchers. The team recruited 151 adults with chronic back pain who reported a pain intensity of at least four out of ten. Participants were split into three groups who received usual care, a placebo injection, or PRT, which involved eight face-to-face sessions aiming to help reframe pain, reduce fear and avoidance of pain, and regulate non-pain threats (such as anxiety and other difficult emotions). Those who underwent PRT reported lower pain intensity at five years than the other groups, and over half of those who received PRT were nearly or completely pain free at five years, compared to 26% of placebo participants and 36% of those who received usual care.

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Journal/
conference: JAMA Psychiatry

Research:Paper

Organisation/s: University of Colorado, USA

Funder: No funding information provided. Conflict of interest disclosures: Dr Ashar reported grants from Association for the Treatment of Neuroplastic Symptoms during the conduct of the study; personal fees from Pain Reprocessing Therapy Center for conducting clinical trainings and other from Lin Health as a consultant outside the submitted work. Dr Schubiner reported Co-owner, Mind Body Publishing, sellingmy books, educating on mind-body conditions. Mr Gordon reported serving as founder of the Pain Psychology Center and Healing Track outside the submitted work. DrWager reported being on the Scientific Advisory Board of Curable Health Inc. No other disclosures were reported.

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