Development of Practice Guidelines for Psychological Interventions in the Rehabilitation of Patients with Chronic Low Back Pain: Methods and Results

Purpose: The aim of this study was to develop evidence- and consensus-based practice guidelines for psychological interventions in the rehabilitation of patients with chronic low back pain. Method: The practice guidelines have been developed systematically in several steps. Experts from scientific departments and rehabilitation centres as well as rehabilitation patients participated in the development of the practice guidelines. In addition, a draft of the practice guidelines was circulated among head psychologists and chief physicians of somatic orthopaedic rehabilitation centres for their comments and approval. Results: The final practice guidelines comprise recommendations regarding systematic screening and diagnostics of psychologically relevant problems. Furthermore, they include suggestions for the organisation of psychological interventions addressing specific problems. Conclusions: The detailed, evidence- and consensus-based practice guidelines offer an orientation for psychological practice in the somatic rehabilitation of patients with chronic low back pain.