Biopsychosocial vs Multimodal Chronic Pain Management

This prospective, randomized, parallel-group study compared a multidisciplinary biopsychosocial treatment program with standard multimodal care in patients with chronic low back pain treated at the Department of Pain Management, University Hospital Osijek. Participants were randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups using a random number generator. The multidisciplinary biopsychosocial group participated in a structured four-week program that included patient education, supervised exercise, individualized multidisciplinary care, pharmacotherapy, and acupuncture. The standard multimodal care group received conservative treatment, including pharmacotherapy, physical therapy modalities, and acupuncture. Clinical and patient-reported outcomes were assessed using standardized self-report questionnaires measuring pain intensity, functional disability, health-related quality of life, anxiety, depression, stress, and sleep quality. In addition, objective data on sleep and physical activity were collected using a wearable smartwatch during the intervention period. The study was conducted between November 2021 and May 2023 as part of a doctoral dissertation.