Andersen, Tonny Elmose

Ellegaard, Hanne

Manniche, Claus

University of Southern Denmark Research Output

Brief Trauma-focused Therapy for Co-morbid Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Low Back Pain –  
preliminary results.  
Tonny E. Andersen1, Hanne Ellegaard2 & Claus Manniche2 
1 Department of Psychology, University of Southern Denmark, 2 Spine Center of Southern Denmark 
Background 
1.  To assess the prevalence and impact of PTSD on LBP pain and disability . 
2.  To investigate the effectiveness of additional brief trauma-focused therapy for PTSD,  
pain and disability compared to treatment-as-usual (TAU).   
Aim & Methods 
Results 
Conclusion 
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and chronic pain often co-occur and higher levels of pain and disability are found in patients with 
low back pain (LBP) and co-morbid PTSD. PTSD and pain are mutually maintained, why both conditions may need to be targeted for 
successful outcome.  
In total, 27.6% had experienced a traumatic event and 9% had 
clinical or sub-clinical PTSD. Patients with PTSD suffered from 
significantly higher levels of pain (NRS) d = 0.19, p < .01, lower 
levels of physical functioning (Roland Morris) d = 0.20, p < .01, and 
health related quality of life (HRQOL) d = 0.21, p < .01.  
Follow-up data are still collected. Hence, the results 
are only preliminary. However, the results are 
promising for brief trauma-focused therapy for patients 
with LPB and co-morbid PTSD.  
 
 
No trauma 
n = 757 
  
Trauma screening  
(PTSD Criterion A) 
n = 1045 
 
 
Brief-SE + TAU  
n = 45 
 
PTSD screening (Harvard Trauma 
Questionnaire) 
n = 288 
 
 
Randomized 
PTSD or Sub-clinical PTSD 
n = 91 
 
TAU  
n = 46 
 
 
No PTSD or declined to 
continue participation 
n = 197 
  
  
•  A one-year cohort of consecutive patients with LBP referred to the 
Spine Center was screened for PTSD.   
•  Patients fulfilling the DSM-IV criteria for PTSD or subclinical PTSD 
where randomised to either TAU or TAU + brief trauma-focused 
psychotherapy (6-10 sessions).  
 
0 
10 
20 
30 
40 
50 
60 
70 
80 
Pre Post 
39 
40 
41 
42 
43 
44 
45 
46 
Pre Post 
% with a PTSD diagnosis PTSD symptoms 


Brief Trauma-focused Therapy for Co-morbid Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Low Back Pain - Preliminary Results

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University of Southern Denmark Research Output