Durability of Yoga for Veterans With Low Back Pain

Chronic low back pain is a prevalent condition among VA patients, but many current treatment options have side effects or limited effectiveness. Veterans with chronic low back pain (cLBP) experience increased disability, functional challenges, and reduced quality of life. A prior VA funded study of Yoga for VA patients with cLBP found that yoga can reduce pain and disability at 3 and 6 months after enrollment. However, the long-term effects and maintenance of yoga practice is unknown. The current study will test an intervention designed to promote long-term yoga practice and long-term health outcome benefits at 12 and 18 months after enrollment.

Inclusion Criteria: * VA patients * Diagnosis of chronic low back pain \> 3 months * Pain rated 4/10 or higher * No new pain treatments in the past month * Willing to attend intervention * Complete 5 assessments * Respond to text assessments * Practiced yoga \< 3x in the last 6 months * Unless medically necessary, agree to not change pain treatment during intervention Exclusion Criteria: * Back surgery within the last 1 year * Pain due to specific systemic (e.g., scleroderma, fibromyalgia) or non-musculoskeletal problem (neuropathy) * Positive Romberg test (with or without sensory neuropathy) * Severe vertebral disk problems, sciatica or nerve compression \>3 months * Serious or unstable psychiatric illness (e.g., unmanaged psychosis, manic episode, or substance dependence) * Serious coexisting medical illness (e.g., cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), body mass index (BMI)\> 40)