RecruitingNot ApplicableNCT04824248

Weight Reduction in CLBP

The Added Value of a Behavioral Weight Reduction Program to Blended Rehabilitation in Patients With Chronic Low Back Pain: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Sponsor

Vrije Universiteit Brussel

Enrollment

84 participants

Start Date

May 1, 2025

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Conditions

Chronic Low-back Pain Overweight or Obesity

Summary

We will recruit overweight/ obese participants between the age of 18 and 65 with chronic nonspecific low back pain . The participants will be randomly assigned to one of two interventions (each lasting 10 weeks). All interventions will be delivered in a blended format and will be a combination of online education material and face-to-face sessions with a physical therapist. The first group (experimental intervention) will receive a behavioral weight reduction program combined with pain neuroscience education plus cognition-targeted exercise therapy. Participants in the second group (control intervention) will receive pain neuroscience education and cognition-targeted exercise therapy alone. Allocation to the groups will be at random. Participants and assessors will be blinded for group allocation. The primary outcomes is pain intensity. Secondary outcomes include other pain related outcomes, body composition, physical activity, sedentary behavior, dietary intake and function.

Eligibility

Min Age: 18 YearsMax Age: 65 Years

Inclusion Criteria5

Overweight (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2) or obese (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2) with chronic low back pain
Non-specific low back pain for at least 3 months' duration
Currently seeking care for low back pain
Native Dutch speaker
Access to internet and computer/tablet/smartphone

Exclusion Criteria6

Leg pain of 7 or higher (on a maximum of 10) on a numeric rating scale
Evidence of specific spinal pathology (e.g., hernia, spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis, infection, spinal fracture or malignancy)
Evidence of a severe underlying comorbidity (e.g. diabetes, cardiovascular problems, metabolic diseases)
BMI ≥ 40 kg/m2
Being pregnant or given birth in the preceding year
Currently receiving dietary or exercise interventions

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Interventions

BEHAVIORALPain Neuroscience Education

Increase pain coping skills and educating the patients that pain is in the brain, and that hypersensitivity of the central nervous system rather than local tissue damage contributes to their symptoms.

BEHAVIORALCognition-targeted exercise therapy

Daily (physical) activity and exercise therapy. To confront the patient with movements and activities that are feared, avoided and/or painful using a gradual and cognition-targeted approach.

BEHAVIORALBehavioral weight reduction program

Changes in diet, behavior and a physical exercise to reach weight loss. It will include a lifestyle approach, incorporating behavioral theories and constructs to assist and facilitate healthy energy balance related behavior.