Targeted Interventions to Prevent Chronic Low Back Pain in High-Risk Patients (TARGET)
PI(s): Anthony Delitto, PhD, PT, University of Pittsburgh, UPMC
Project Summary: The research team looked at patients with recent low back pain who had different risks for developing chronic pain. To assess chronic pain risk, the team asked patients questions about how they were coping with back pain.
For patients at high risk, the research team compared two types of care:
Of patients at high risk, 50% developed chronic pain with both types of care. Level of disability and use of health care for low back pain were also similar for both types of care. After six months, 20% of low-risk and 33% of medium-risk patients developed chronic low back pain. Also, 30 to 40% of low- and medium-risk patients had another doctor visit for low back pain. For patients at all risk levels, doctors often ordered non-recommended tests and treatments, such as x-rays and opioids.
PaTH Partner:
PCORnet Partners:
Sponsor: PCORI®
Coordinating Center: University of Pittsburgh