EHealth to empower patients with Musculoskeletal Pain in Rural Australia (EMPoweR) a randomized controlled trial.

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Knee Osteoarthritis; Non-specific chronic low back pain; Musculoskeletal - Osteoarthritis; Musculoskeletal - Other muscular and skeletal disorders

• Registration Number: ACTRN12618001494224
• Lead Sponsor: The University of Sydney

Brief Summary

Not available

Detailed Description

Not available

Study Timeline

• Results First Posted: 1900-01-01
• Study Start: 2018-09-05
• Study Completion: 2021-09-30
• Last Update Posted: 7 March 2022

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: Completed
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 156

Inclusion Criteria

Non-specific LBP and/or knee pain lasting for at least 3 months. Participants who report both conditions will be stratified based on their primary complaint by reporting which condition concerns them the most.
Pain level: LBP: Equal or greater than 3/10 on the 11-point numeric pain rating scale in the past week and knee: Equal or greater than 3/10 on the 11-point numeric pain rating scale over most days of the past month.
Be in the process of seeking care through Dubbo or Orange outpatient physiotherapy department or are intending to access care (which incur costs to patients or healthcare system) in the next 3 months for their back and/or knee pain
Reside in very remote, remote, inner and outer regional areas (based on the Australian Standard Geographical Classification Remoteness Area)
Be fluent in English (verbal and written)
Have adequate hearing and eyesight
Independent ambulatory status
Have current internet access and access to it at least once a month
Own an internet-capable device with a display, camera, microphone and speaker (smartphone, tablet or computer).
Have a self-rated ability to use the internet at-least fair (using a 4-item scale from poor, fair, good to excellent)
Willingness to provide informed consent and willingness to participate and comply with the study requirements.

Exclusion Criteria

Recent or imminent spinal surgery (within 12 months)
Recent or imminent knee surgery (arthroscopy within 6 months; knee replacements/osteotomy within 12 months)
Any recent corticosteroid injections (knee or back in the past 6 months)
Evidence of radiculopathy, nerve root, spinal cord, cauda equine compression or lumbar neurogenic claudication
Any known suspected serious spinal pathology (fracture, metastatic, inflammatory or infective diseases, widespread neurological disorder)
LBP caused by involvement in a road traffic accident in the last 12 months or ongoing litigation
Have a comorbid condition that would prevent active participation in performing strengthening exercises at home or increasing physical activity levels
Diagnosis of fibromyalgia or a systematic arthritic condition
Current or planned pregnancy
Recent fall history deemed to impose risk for potential injury

Study & Design

• Study Type: Interventional
• Study Design: Not specified

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Physical function assessed using the Patient-Specific Functional Scale (PSFS)[Baseline, 3 and 6 months post-randomization ]