Early physiotherapy management of back pain in primary care: a comparison of physical treatments versus a back pain management programme

Completed

Conditions: Acute low back pain
Back pain
Musculoskeletal Diseases

Registration Number: ISRCTN32765488

Lead Sponsor: Keele University (UK)

Brief Summary: Not available

Detailed Description: Not available

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status: Completed

Sex: All

Target Recruitment: 402

Inclusion Criteria

1. Aged 18 - 64 years inclusive
2. Acute episode of low back pain of less than 12 weeks duration
3. First or second consultation with general practitioner (GP)
4. Able to give written informed consent

Exclusion Criteria

1. On long term sick leave for low back pain
2. Already seen by other health care professional (e.g. physio) for this episode of back pain prior to randomisation
3. Diagnosis of osteoporosis or inflammatory arthritis
4. Systemic steroid therapy for more than three months duration
5. Pregnancy
6. Undergoing current treatment for cancer
7. Terminal illness
8. Previous hip or back surgery or fracture
9. Abdominal surgery within the last three months
10. Roland and Morris Disability Questionnaire score (primary outcome measure) less than 2

Study & Design

Study Type: Interventional

Study Design: Not specified

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
The primary outcome was change in self-reported back pain related disability at 12 months as measured on the Roland and Morris Disability Questionnaire.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
1. Participants? global assessment of change compared with baseline<br>2. Pain location (body chart)<br>3. Rating of pain severity (visual analogue scale [VAS]) and pain nature (short form McGill pain questionnaire)<br>4. Psychological distress (the distress and risk assessment method [DRAM])<br>5. Fear of movement (Tampa scale of kinesiophobia), coping strategies (coping strategies questionnaire)<br>6. Satisfaction with treatment (VAS)<br>7. Days off work since start of current episode<br>8. Co-interventions (health care utilisation and medication usage)