Interprofessional Management of Chronic Back Pain in Rural and Remote Setting: Use of Telehealth vs. Secure Laptop-based Videoconferencing

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Back Pain Lower Back Chronic
• Interventions: Other: interprofessional back pain assessment

• Registration Number: NCT02960269
• Lead Sponsor: University of Saskatchewan

Brief Summary

This pilot study will evaluate the impact and overall experience of an interprofessional chronic low back pain patient care approach for people in rural and remote areas using Telehealth technology compared to secure laptop based videoconferencing (Vidyo).

Detailed Description

People with chronic low back pain will be recruited to participate in a team assessment with a local rural nurse practitioner and an-urban based physiotherapist linking through telehealth. The assessment will include a detailed history, physical examination and jointly-delivered education and recommendations for further community-based management. Pre and post measures of self-reported pain, back-specific function, quality of life, and satisfaction will be completed 2-4 weeks after the assessment. Comparison of short-term outcomes will be made with a group of participants from another study using the a different telehealth technology (secure laptop based videoconferencing) same inclusion criteria, measures and health care providers (Clin Trials.gov NCT02225535). The health care providers will be interviewed to get feedback on their preference and experience using the different type of telehealth technology.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2016-11
• Study First Submitted: 2016-11-07
• Study First Submitted QC: 2016-11-07
• Study First Posted: 2016-11-09
• Primary Completion: 2017-03
• Study Completion: 2017-12
• Status Verified: 2018-10
• Last Update Submitted: 2018-10-10
• Last Update Posted: 2018-10-11

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 12

Inclusion Criteria

chronic low back pain localized below costal margins and above gluteal folds and/or related leg pain, which is bad enough to limit their usual activities or daily routine and has been present for at least 3 months

Exclusion Criteria

• People with: third party payer insurance (i.e.worker's compensation board) for their back related complaints, with primarily neck or thoracic pain, and/ or with language, reading or comprehension barriers that would limit their ability to adequately complete the required study paperwork will be excluded from participating in the study.

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: SINGLE_GROUP

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Telehealth team assessment	interprofessional back pain assessment	Team assessment for back pain with nurse practitioner and physical therapist via telehealth

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Participant satisfaction	2-4 weeks after assessment	Modified VSQ-9
Patient experience with telehealth	2-4 weeks after assessment
Pain	2-4 weeks after assessment	Numeric Pain Rating Scale
Back-specific function	2-4 weeks after assessment	Modified Oswestry Disability Index

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Health care provider experience	within 2 weeks of completion of all assessments	experience with telehealth technology

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

University of Saskatchewan; 🇨🇦 Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada