IMPROVING OUTCOMES FOR OLDER VETERANS WITH CHRONIC BACK PAIN AND DEPRESSION: INTERVENTION DEVELOPMENT. (11th November 2018) - Makris, U E
Abstract: Chronic low back pain (cLBP) and depression are highly prevalent, disabling, costly, and complicate each other's management. A feasible, effective behavioral intervention targeting cLBP and comorbid depression is needed, especially in older adults. The goal of this research is to develop, in an iterative process, a health coach-telephone-delivered, behavioral intervention that will ultimately improve outcomes of disability and depression in older Veterans with cLBP and depression. This intervention builds on prior literature for chronic pain and mental illness (including goal setting and patient activation) used in older adults. In phase 1 of this research, the intervention content and manual was developed and adapted using input from 14 interviews (via telephone or in-person) with experts (behavioral interventionists, clinical and lifespan developmental psychologists, geriatricians, pain specialists), Veterans and stakeholders (primary care providers). This research has potential to improve patient reported outcomes for medically complex older Veterans with cLBP and comorbid depression.