Please select the eligibility criteria that correspond to the clinical trial below.
Title: Veterans Back to Health: A Study Comparing Yoga and Education for Veterans With Chronic Low Back Pain
Brief Summary: Chronic low back pain (cLBP) is the most common pain condition in the military, causing substantial physical and psychological suffering, reduction in force readiness, and high economic cost. Yoga has been studied in 10 RCTs in civilian populations with cLBP suggesting it may be effective in reducing pain intensity, improving back-related function, and lowering pain medication use. Multiple differences exist between civilian and military populations with cLBP, making it necessary to adapt and test yoga for cLBP in military populations. This study's primary aim is to evaluate the effectiveness of yoga for reducing pain in military personnel and Veterans with cLBP through a structured, reproducible 12-week series of hatha yoga classes, supplemented with home practice, compared to an education group. Additionally, the enormous mental health burden often shouldered by returning military personnel presents another important distinguishing factor. Thus, the study's secondary aim is to assess yoga's capacity to reduce post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS). The third aim is to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of yoga for cLBP at 3 months and 6 months from the perspective of the provider, the Veteran, and the Veterans Health Administration. The fourth and final aim is to evaluate the effect of back pain and yoga on marital and family functioning. The proposed RCT will (1) establish a structured reproducible yoga protocol uniquely suited to Veterans populations with cLBP; (2) develop web-based delivery systems to assist Veterans in yoga home practice; (3) increase our knowledge of the feasibility and impact of yoga for Veterans' cLBP and psychological comorbidities. These results will help determine whether yoga is an effective modality for addressing cLBP in a Veteran population.


Options:
A: Inclusion Criteria:

* Veteran of any branch of military service
* Current low-back pain present for at least half the days over the past 6 months mean pain intensity for the previous week ≥4 on 0-10 rating scale

Exclusion Criteria:

* Significant yoga practice in the previous 6 months
* Have read The Back Pain Helpbook in the previous 6 months
* New LBP treatments started within the previous month or anticipated to begin in the next 3 months
* Known pregnancy
* Known inflammatory or systemic causes of LBP
* Severe and/or progressive medical, neurological, or psychiatric comorbidities
* Inability to understand/speak English
* Plans to move out of the area in the next 6 months
* Lack of informed consent
* Unwillingness to be randomized
B: Inclusion criteria:

* Group Health Cooperative enrollee
* Uncomplicated low back pain
* At least moderate pain levels

Exclusion criteria:

* Sciatica persisting 3 or more months after physician visit
* History of cancer (other than nonmelanoma skin cancer)
* Severe disk problems
* Unstable medical conditions
* Back surgery within past 3 years
* Physically unable to do the yoga or exercise classes and homework
* Unable to attend classes
* Currently doing yoga
* Taken exercise class for back pain within past year
* Currently in litigation for back pain
* Seeking other treatment for back pain
C: Inclusion Criteria:

* non- specific low back pain,
* 18-60 years old,
* \> 90 points on the OMPSQ screening questionnaire for yellow flags and sufficient understanding of the Swedish language

Exclusion Criteria:

* presence of so called Red flags,
* pregnancy,
* comorbidities affecting the ability to perform the interventions,
* presently on sick leave for \> 8 weeks,
* ongoing regular weekly yoga practice or strength training.
D: Inclusion Criteria:

* Patients diagnosed with lower back pain with a pain score of 4 or higher on DVPRS for 3 months
* Male or female
* Age 18-68\*
* Able to read and understand English
* Understands language, and able to report current pain levels and recall events
* DEERS-Eligible, Military healthcare beneficiary

Exclusion Criteria:

* Provider has advised against mild to moderate exercise
* Patient unable to sit on the floor for two minutes or unable to stand independently
* Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Auto Immune disease-related pain, other chronic medical conditions (i.e. advanced diabetic neuropathies) that preclude consent
* Patients with severe TBI
* Practiced Yoga within 6 months
* Pre-surgical candidates for back surgery within 3 months
* Back surgery within the past year
* Pregnancy\*\*; females will be asked to self-report
* Undergoing Medical Evaluation Board to determine discharge

Answer: A