AAPM&R Publishes CPG Commentary Review for the NASS Low Back Pain Guideline

July 24, 2020

AAPM&R’s Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPG) Committee published a guideline commentary for the North American Spine Society (NASS) Evidence-Based Clinical Guidelines for Multidisciplinary Spine Care: Diagnosis and Treatment of Low Back Pain.

This comprehensive guideline is intended to provide evidence-based recommendations to assist in delivering optimum, efficacious treatment and functional recovery from nonspecific low back pain. The CPG Commentary is intended to provide members with an overview of the guideline, highlighting the recommendations that are most relevant to the specialty. The commentary evaluates the most relevant recommendations and describes how they may be implemented into practice, noting any barriers to translating the evidence into action.

As a key stakeholder, AAPM&R was given the opportunity to participate in the development of the guideline and was represented by Dr. Matthew Smuck. CPG Committee members, Armando S. Miciano, Jr., MD, Chair; Aaron E. Bunnell, MD; David W. Lee, MD; K. Rao Poduri, MD; and Jeffrey Radecki, MD evaluated the guideline and voted to officially endorse the CPG. Clinical Domain Experts (CDEs) from relevant AAPM&R committees were also consulted to provide comments on the draft and final guideline. David W. Lee, MD; John M. Lesher, MD, MPH; Christopher J. Standaert, MD; and Santhosh A. Thomas, DO, MBA volunteered to serve as CDEs for the CPG Commentary.

The full AAPM&R CPG Commentary can be viewed here. An article regarding the evaluation process will be provided in the September issue of The Physiatrist.