Treatment-Based Classification versus Usual Care for Management of Low Back Pain

Purpose The primary purpose of this study is to compare the effectiveness of two management strategies for patients with recent onset of low back pain. One is based on usual care and the other is based on early access to physical therapy following a pragmatic treatment-based classification approach. The secondary purposes are to compare the subsequent healthcare utilization associated with two management strategies as well as to evaluate the importance of psychosocial factors on outcomes within both groups of treatment. Design A randomized trial comparting the effectiveness of two primary care strategies for patients with recent onset of low back pain LBP. One strategy will be usual care UC based on a stepped care approach. The other strategy will involve early access to physical therapy PT. The primary difference between the strategies is the management in the first 4 weeks. Scope Active duty soldiers with low back pain- 1 year follow-up period. Major Findings No research findings to report at this time as we are still in the recruitmentenrollment process.