Chronic Low Back Pain with Mood Symptoms Study

STUDY BASICS

Have you had chronic low back pain for at least six months and also have depression or anxiety symptoms? Are you aged 18-75? You may be able to participate in a research study to compare antidepressant medication and physical therapy for people with chronic low back who also have anxiety and depression symptoms. Compensation is provided.

STUDY PURPOSE

Chronic low back pain is a common condition and a leading cause of disability. Many people with chronic low back pain also experience depression and anxiety. Although treatments exist for mental health disorders associated with chronic low back pain, they do not work for everyone.

 

The purpose of this research study is to find out if antidepressant medication or physical therapy (or a combination of both) is an effective treatment for people with chronic low back who also have anxiety and depression symptoms. Researchers hope their findings lead to better ways to manage low back pain with depression or anxiety in the future.

COULD THIS STUDY BE RIGHT FOR YOU?

• Ages 18-75
• Have had low back pain for at least the past 6 months
• Have anxiety and/or depression symptoms
• Have a smartphone or a tablet that has internet access and text messaging capabilities

WHAT PARTICIPANTS CAN EXPECT

Participation lasts about eight months and involves four months of treatment and four months of completing follow-up surveys. During the first four months, participants will have 6-12 visits. Some visits may be done by phone or online by video.  Participants will be randomly assigned (like the flip of a coin) to one of three treatment groups: antidepressant medication, physical therapy, or a combination of both at the same time. If your pain does not improve at the end of first four months, you may choose to receive a different study treatment.