Secondary causal mediation analysis of a pragmatic clinical trial to evaluate the effect of chiropractic care for US active-duty military on biopsychosocial outcomes occurring through effects on low back pain interference and intensity.

OBJECTIVE

We evaluate change in low back pain (LBP) intensity and interference as the mechanism by which chiropractic care affects other biopsychosocial factors in US active-duty military members.

DESIGN

We conducted secondary, exploratory mediation analysis of pragmatic, multisite, clinical trial (NCT01692275) post results using natural effect modeling. Mediators were the 6-week values of Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS)-29 pain interference and intensity. Outcomes were 12-week values of other PROMIS-29 biopsychosocial subdomains. Models evaluated overall and individual factor contribution and were adjusted for baseline age, sex, LBP duration, LBP intensity and mediator and outcome values.

SETTING

Three US military treatment facilities.

PARTICIPANTS

750 US active-duty military members with LBP.

INTERVENTIONS: Trial participants received 6 weeks of treatment with chiropractic care plus usual medical care or usual medical care alone.

RESULTS

In multiple mediator models, pain interference and pain intensity explained much of the effect of chiropractic care on physical function (proportion mediated=0.77, 95% CI 0.43 to 2.0), fatigue (0.62, 95% CI 0.30 to 1.0), sleep disturbance (0.49, 95% CI 0.31 to 1.5) and social roles (0.81, 95% CI 0.50 to 2.0). Mental health was not evaluable due to the low prevalence of symptoms reported. The combined models of pain interference and pain intensity did not have a higher proportion mediated than the individual pain intensity models except for fatigue outcome models.

CONCLUSION

Pain intensity appeared to be the mechanism by which much of the change in biopsychosocial factors occurred and should be considered a key clinical indicator for improvement in biopsychosocial health when chiropractic care is added to usual medical care for US active-duty military members.