Psychosocioeconomic predictors of treatment success/failure in chronic low-back pain patients

The present study evaluated various psychosocioeconomic variables in chronic low-back pain (CLBP) patients being treated in a functional restoration rehabilitation program. The purpose of the study was to identify those factors that may have predictive value with respect to treatment outcome. Three groups of patients (Success, Failure, Dropout) were examined based on outcome and follow-up data 1 and 2 years after program completion. Once group assignment was made based on outcome, a variety of psychologic, socioeconomic, and demographic data obtained at the time of program admission was analyzed to determine if there were differences among the groups. Several factors were found to distinguish among the groups, including Minnesota Mul- tlphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) and Millon Behavioral Health Inventory (MBHI) scale scores, prior surgical history, level of worker compensation, and pain intensity ratings. These results confirm the presence of psychosocioeconomic differences among CLBP patients and suggest the need for continued research in this area to improve treatment efficacy in these patients.