Fordham B, et al. – The experts undertook this study to recognize possible mechanisms that mediate the effects of a cognitive behavioral approach upon disability and pain in low back pain patients. Important causal mediators of the cognitive behavioral treatment effect were fear avoidance and self–efficacy. In physical function, the self–assessed change was a causal mediator but mental functioning was not. This suggested that people needed to experience a meaningful change in physical function and beliefs but not in mental functioning associated with LBP, to achieve a treatment benefit.