Predictors of efficacy in treatment of chronic low back pain.

The investigation of predictors for therapy outcome in patients with chronic low back pain date back to the early 1970s. Numerous well controlled prospective longitudinal studies have confirmed the predominant predictive power of several psychological factors, which are in addition to objective work related, medical and sociodemographic variables. Studies published in the review period have reported markedly improved methodological standards. Further progress is seen with the enhanced search for predictors of working situation in chronic low back pain patients. Finally, there is a shift toward the investigation of predictors for efficacy of primary care in acute and subchronic low back pain patients.