Overlapping pain conditions were linked to greater fatigue in people with back pain
Among participants in a back pain trial, additional chronic pain conditions accompanied worse physical functioning and greater emotional distress.
Based on the published abstract. The full paper may contain additional methods, results and limitations.
The 30-second takeaway
People with additional overlapping pain conditions reported more fatigue, anxiety, depression and pain symptoms than those with chronic low back pain alone. Physical functioning was also worse. These are associations within a trial sample, not evidence that overlapping conditions caused the differences or that mindfulness treatment improved any of these outcomes.
The abstract gives inconsistent descriptions of how common overlapping conditions were. This abstract-based account also cannot establish how well findings from trial enrollees apply to the wider population with back pain.
What researchers found
Fatigue score per additional overlapping pain condition
Association comparing greater versus fewer additional conditions among participants with chronic low back pain; assessment timing was not reported.
Looking beyond the main complaint
Researchers used a validated screening tool to identify overlapping pain conditions. They compared emotional and physical measures across participants to examine how additional conditions were associated with a broader symptom burden.
Understanding the fatigue scale
The T-score scale has a mean of 50 and a standard deviation of 10 points, which describes its spread. The reported difference is in fatigue score points, not a percentage change or an established clinical threshold.
The original publication
Prevalence of Chronic Overlapping Pain Conditions in Participants With Chronic Low Back Pain Enrolled in a Pragmatic Trial of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction.
Miller VE, Barnhill J, Greco CM et al.
Eur J Pain · 2025
- PubMed ID
- 40891220
- Record checked
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