Table 1 Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria

• M51.2-M51.9 (other intervertebral disc disorders)

• M53.8, M53.9 (other specified/unspecified dorsopathies)

• M54.4-M54.9 (lumbago with sciatica, low back pain, pain in thoracic spine, other/unspecified dorsalgia)

• F45.4 (persistent somatoform pain disorder)

• F45.41 (chronic pain disorder with somatic and psychological factors)

• F54 (psychological and behavioural factors associated with disorders or diseases classified elsewhere)

• specific underlying diagnosis of the back pain (e.g. radicular symptoms, myelopathy)

• considerably reduced health status (comorbidities)

• considerable reduction of sight and hearing

• severe psychiatric condition as secondary diagnosis

• age below 18 or over 65

• lack of ability to speak German

• ongoing application for retirement