Improving Outcomes for Older Veterans With Chronic Back Pain and Depression

In this pilot RCT, investigators will assess the feasibility for older Veterans with cLBP and depression assigned to receive the behavioral intervention (n=25) versus the waitlist control (n=25). Follow-up will also include assessments at 6 months and 12 months post-intervention.

Overview of Proposed intervention: The behavioral intervention is designed for older Veterans with cLBP and depression and will include 8 individual telephone sessions delivered by health coaches over a period of 10-20 weeks (up to 5 months total, accounting for additional time between sessions if needed). Exceptions may be made for highly motivated subjects who had unfortunate life circumstances arise.

For the physical activity component of the intervention, investigators will provide an Omron pedometer to subjects, as previously used in VA research studies. The Omron pedometer will be set up by the research team (stride length, setting date/time) and will be mailed to the subject's home in between session 1 and 2. The health coach will remind the subject that this pedometer will arrive via United States Postal Service mail to their home and to call the research coordinator when it arrives. The research team will provide technical assistance and instructions to the subject regarding use of the Omron pedometer (to be worn on the waist band, daily, all day aside from showers/baths). The research team will also verbally show the subject how to press the mode and memory buttons to obtain weekly step counts for documentation/tracking physical activity. The subjects will be prompted by the health coach or research staff to report out weekly step counts during subsequent coaching sessions.

In addition to the assessments outlined later in this protocol, specifically at 12 months, investigators will conduct in-depth semi-structured interviews with ~10-15 participants (8 from both arms of the pilot trial, the health coaches, 2 primary care providers, and 1 mental health provider) using purposive sampling. The health coach/research coordinator will identify Veterans who are at higher risk for drop-out, were less engaged, or were particularly successful at achieving behavioral change. The purpose of this final interview is to learn about the barriers and facilitators to successful intervention delivery and participant retention from the Veteran, health coach, and provider perspective.

Inclusion criteria

• Men and women Veterans aged 65+
• English-speaking
• Self-reported low back pain (+/-radiation) on most days for the past 3 months, that interferes with daily activities. Low back pain interferes with daily activities, assessed with the question "does your back pain limit your ability to do activities around the home or activities that you enjoy?"
• Chronic low back pain with intensity of 4 or higher on 10 point scale
• Depression, PHQ-9>10 stable (per chart review, no psychotic or suicidal ideation; confirmed over telephone)
• Capable of participating in home-based activity

Exclusion criteria

• No telephone
• Not English speaking
• Unwilling to be randomized to either study arm
• Self-reported uncorrected hearing or visual disturbance precluding ability to participate in telephone sessions or read pedometer screen
• Cognitive impairment, assessed by Memory Impairment Screen
• Lumbar surgery within the last year
• Self-reported dependence on wheelchair, bed-bound, or severe balance impairment (unable to participate in physical activity intervention)
• Illness requiring hospitalization within the last 3 months. Specific question: Have you been hospitalized for an illness in the past 3 months that would make participating in a physical activity program challenging or unsafe? (Examples include: fall, gout attacks, stroke, heart attack, heart failure, or surgery for blocked arteries)
• Suicidal ideation, prior psychotic episodes requiring hospitalization within the last year