Washington, Jan 23 (ANI): They are commonly prescribed for low back pain, but a new review by Cochrane researchers has found no clear evidence that antidepressants work on this chronic pain.

The drugs are usually prescribed for three main reasons - to relieve pain; reduce mild depression and improve a persons mood; and improve sleep.

However, lead author Dr Donna Urquhart who works in the Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine at Monash University, Melbourne, Australia, says that a review of 10 trials found no evidence that antidepressants assist in the management of chronic low back pain.

We found no clear evidence to support the clinicians prescription of antidepressants in reducing pain and depression for patients with chronic low back pain, she said.

However, the researchers added that the finding does not mean that patients with significant depression should avoid antidepressants, as they play an important role in the treatment of clinical depression.

The researchers stated that more research was needed in this field. (ANI)