MARCH 27, 2025
Recent research indicates that healthier lifestyle choices may help alleviate pain for individuals suffering from chronic low back pain. A team of investigators from Australia found that individuals with low back pain who adopted a healthier lifestyle approach experienced a greater reduction in disability compared with those who did not.
“This study suggests that lifestyle care can safely be integrated into care for chronic low back pain, providing small improvements in disability
Recent research indicates that healthier lifestyle choices may help alleviate pain for individuals suffering from chronic low back pain. A team of investigators from Australia found that individuals with low back pain who adopted a healthier lifestyle approach experienced a greater reduction in disability compared with those who did not.
“This study suggests that lifestyle care can safely be integrated into care for chronic low back pain, providing small improvements in disability compared with current guideline-recommended care and an opportunity to concurrently address prevalent chronic disease risks in this patient group,” the authors wrote.
In the study, investigators examined 346 patients and assessed the effectiveness of a Healthy Lifestyle Program (HeLP) compared with guideline-based care for low back pain disability.
Each participant was randomly assigned to either the HeLP intervention (n = 174; two post-randomization exclusions) or guideline-based physiotherapy care (n = 172), with stratification by body mass index. The HeLP intervention included back pain–specific healthy lifestyle education, support provided through clinical consultations, educational resources (booklet and web portal access), and telephone-based health coaching.
The primary outcome measured was low back pain disability, assessed using the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire score (0-24 scale, where higher scores indicate greater disability) at 26 weeks. Secondary outcomes included weight, pain intensity, quality of life and smoking habits.
The results revealed a between-group difference of −1.3 points (95% CI, −2.5 to −0.2 points; P=0.03) in favor of the HeLP intervention at 26 weeks. A subsequent Complier Average Causal Effect analysis showed clinically meaningful benefits in disability among participants who adhered to the intervention, favoring HeLP (−5.4 points; 95% CI, −9.7 to −1.2 points; P=0.01). This group also showed greater weight loss (−1.6 kg; 95% CI, −3.2 to −0.0 kg; P=0.049) and improvements in quality of life (physical functioning score: 1.8; 95% CI, 0.1-3.4; P=0.04) compared with the control group.
“Combining healthy lifestyle management with guideline-based care for chronic low back pain led to small improvements in disability, weight, and quality of life compared with guideline-based care alone, without additional harm,” the authors wrote. “Targeting lifestyle risks in the management of chronic low back pain may be considered safe and may offer small additional health benefits beyond current guideline-based care.”
— Kenny Walter
