Treating Negative Affect in Low Back Pain Patients

"The antidepressant treatment utilizes antidepressant medication to improve pain, function, and depression outcomes.~The Antidepressant Treatment History Form (ATHF) will be used to assess adequacy of any prior antidepressant medication treatment and to assist the decision regarding which antidepressant to start. A medication flowchart will help serve as a guideline throughout the drug selection and dosing determination. Weekly assessments completed by subjects will help determine response, tolerability, and necessity for dose adjustment or medication change."

The EFAR treatment utilizes physical therapy, pain education, and motivational messaging to improve pain, function, and depression outcomes. Subjects will engage in gradual exposure to exercises and activities they are apprehensive about, such as standing to wash dishes.