Despite the promising results, researchers noted limitations, including dropout rates and the study's exclusively Australian participant base, raising questions about the therapy's applicability in other populations.

A recent study published in The Lancet Rheumatology reveals that cognitive functional therapy (CFT) offers long-term relief for chronic lower back pain, a condition affecting one in five adults in the U.S.

Developed by researchers at Macquarie University and Curtin University in Australia, CFT is a bespoke psychotherapy that has shown to relieve chronic lower back pain for up to three years after just eight sessions.

The RESTORE RCT involved 492 patients with chronic low back pain, who were divided into groups receiving either CFT, CFT with biofeedback, or usual care.

The findings indicate that CFT can lead to significant improvements even in patients who have suffered from disabling back pain for years and have previously tried multiple treatments without success.

Participants who underwent CFT maintained nearly a three-fold improvement in pain and disability compared to those receiving usual care in a follow-up conducted three years later.

Dr. Jotwani expresses optimism about CFT's potential for lasting relief, noting that it is uncommon for patients to experience such extended benefits from a single intervention.

Lead author Dr. Mark Hancock emphasizes that CFT adopts a holistic approach, empowering patients to manage their pain while addressing various relevant factors.

CFT aims to shift patients' mindsets about pain, moving away from fear-driven behaviors and fostering self-management skills that persist beyond therapy sessions.

CFT sessions include assessments of posture, pain perceptions, emotions, and lifestyle, helping participants alter pain-related behaviors and adopt healthier habits.

The study highlights the need for scaling up clinician training to enhance accessibility and implementation of CFT across diverse healthcare systems.

Dr. Rohan Jotwani highlights the importance of addressing psychological barriers, such as kinesiophobia, which can exacerbate pain by limiting movement.