New psychosocial flags system for multidisciplinary treatment of chronic low back pain

Abstract

Psychosocial factors are often involved in chronic non-specific low back pain patients, in which case an accurate assessment of these factors and a corresponding cognitive-behavioral approach are required. Multidisciplinary treatment based on a biopsychosocial model is essential in the treatment of chronic pain such as musculoskeletal pain. Multidisciplinary treatment for chronic low back pain is rated 1 (strong) A (high) in Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Management of Chronic Pain in Japan. We introduced an original psychosocial flags system for Japanese workers that was developed by members of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare's Policy Research Project on chronic pain. The "psychosocial flags framework" originated in the U.K. for the multidisciplinary treatment of musculoskeletal pain, which was recommended in the neck and back pain guidelines in Europe. We focused on the yellow flags (i.e., psychosocial factors used to screen for cognitive-behavioral therapy) that will be an appropriate operational system for motivated therapists.