PT vs CBT for Chronic Low Back Pain - Takeaways - MDSpire
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PT vs CBT for Chronic Low Back Pain

Sequential, multiple-assignment randomized trial compares stage I and stage II nonpharmacologic treatments over 52 weeks.

  • By

  • Kathryn Wighton

  • April 29, 2026

  • 3 min

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  • 1

    Physical therapy (PT) showed small functional improvements over cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for chronic low back pain patients.

  • 2

    At 10 weeks, PT improved the Oswestry Disability Index by 2.8 points more than CBT, but did not meet the minimum important difference.

  • 3

    No significant differences in pain intensity were observed between PT and CBT groups throughout the study.

  • 4

    Among nonresponders, switching therapies or mindfulness-based treatment showed no significant differences in function or pain intensity.

  • 5

    The study suggests PT may be a more effective first-line treatment for chronic low back pain compared to CBT.

Original Source(s)

PT vs CBT for Chronic Low Back Pain

  • by Kathryn Wighton

  • April 29, 2026

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