In an effort to improve treatment of Nonspecific low back pain (NLBP), investigators evaluated the efficacy of FitBack, a mobile-Web intervention, in a randomized controlled trial (RCT) published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research. FitBack helps users learn about and implement NLBP management and prevention strategies. At the time of the four-month follow-up, participants assigned to the FitBack intervention group were significantly less likely to report current back pain then those assigned to the control group and the alternative care group. The results of this RCT suggest promise in the field of mobile health technology for positive NLBP outcomes.   

Click here to access full article 

Role of Depressive Symptoms in Pain and Cognitive Performance

A recent study published in Maturitas, evaluated "the extent to which experiences of pain are associated with cognitive performance and the contribution of depressive symptoms to this association." Data from the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation was used to conduct a cross sectional analysis. The authors evaluated the associations between aspects of pain and cognitive performance with and without depression. The study found that, "greater pain is associated with poorer cognitive performance in mid-life women, and that depressive symptoms play an important role in this association."

Click here to access full artcile 

Photo courtsey of Abdullah Alshehri

Karl Pillemer, TRIPLL's co-director, recently released a book revealing the secrets to a happy and lifelong marriage. Dr. Pillemer and his research team interviewed more than 700 retirees, ages 65 and older, who were happily married for an average of 43 years. His new book, 30 Lessons for Loving: Advice from the Wisest Americans on Love, Relationships, and Marriage, includes his findings from the study and many other insights into the keys to a successful marriage. 

Click here to read the full article

Chronic Pain Patients Receive Social Support via Text Messages

 

A team of TRIPLL Investigators and affiliates, including Cary Reid,  TRIPLL's director and Jamie Guillory, Pamara Chang, Chuck Henderson and Geri Gay, recently published an article in the Clinical Journal of Pain which sought to, "examine the preliminary effects of a SMS text message-based social support intervention for reducing daily pain interference levels, improving affect and perceptions of social support in patients with chronic non-cancer pain." The authors enrolled 68 participants who downloaded a pain tracking app to their smartphones and used it to record daily pain scores. Additional social support text messages were delivered to participants in the intervention group. The study found that social support delivered via text messages helped reduced perceptions of pain and improved positive affect for chronic non-cancer pain patients.   

 

Click here to access full article