Table 2 Components of the biopsychosocial multidisciplinary group intervention

Theory program

▪ Basics on anatomy and biomechanics of the spine

▪ Pain mechanisms

▪ Causes of pain and predisposing factors

▪ Type of pain, mechanical, inflammatory, and severity

▪ Healthy life habits

Practical program

▪ Discuss with the participants the doubts, beliefs and myths about back pain and give positive messages

Physiotherapist 4 hours

Objective: Provide tools on exercises/postures to avoid the pain and the chronic course and improve quality of life.

Theory program

▪ Body posture and its implication in pain

▪ Ergonomics

▪ Benefits of relative rest

Practical program

▪ Diaphragmatic breathing exercises as the basis for relaxation, body awareness and postural control.

▪ Pelvic floor/gyration exercises.

▪ Propioceptive and posture awareness exercises.

▪ Strengthening exercises of the psoas and the posterior chain: Paravertebral muscles, gluteus, ischiotibial muscles.

▪ Strengthening exercises of abdominal muscles, specially the abdominal transversus, gluteus, spinal extensors and scapular muscles.

Psychologist 4 hours

Objective: Provide participants with cognitive-behavioural therapy techniques

Theory program

▪ Influences of cognitions, emotions and behaviour in pain

Practical program

▪ Relaxation guidelines and methods

▪ Cognitive restructuring (Modulation of negative thoughts affecting emotions and pain)

▪ Use of attention (Increasing attention focus)

▪ Assertiveness (improving social relationships)

▪ Problem solving (training in step by step techniques for decision making)

▪ Time organization and reinforcement of reform activities and physical exercise.

▪ Life values (increasing concordance between values and behaviour)

▪ Relapse prevention