Alberta Chiropractic SelfBack Study
Trial Snapshot
- Phase
- Not Applicable
- Status
- Recruiting
- Sponsor
- University of Alberta
- Enrollment
- 100
- Locations
- 2
- Primary Endpoint
- The percentage of patients who utilize the SelfBack app
Study Overview
Brief Summary
Recurrent and persistent low back pain (LBP) is a massive problem in Canada that causes a substantial pain, disability, cost, and even premature death.
The good news is that treatments for recurrent and persistent LBP are available. Many guidelines now recommend education and exercise as the best intervention for chronic LBP. Unfortunately, education and exercise programs are not publicly funded in Canada-only Canadians with extended health benefits can access these programs.
As a result, the 50% of Canadians who do not have extended health benefits often seek care for LBP from their publicly funded physicians. Physicians, in turn, have little choice but to reach for what they have available, including opioids, x-rays and referrals to specialists. Not only are these interventions unhelpful for chronic LBP, they are often harmful, sometimes deadly, and disproportionately affect lower socio-economic status households.
A possible solution to this problem exists in a validated app (SelfBack) that provides tailored self-management plans consisting of advice on physical activity, physical exercises, and educational content. Tailoring of treatment plans to individuals is achieved by using case-based reasoning (CBR) methodology which is a branch of artificial intelligence.
This study will evaluate the feasibility of distributing the SelfBack app to persons experiencing LBP through their chiropractors.
The results of this study will help us understand the barriers and facilitators of distributing and using the app through Alberta Chiropractors. This information will be used to apply for funding for a larger study to understand the effectiveness of the app as an intervention for persistent and recurrent LBP.
Detailed Description
Purpose
This study will evaluate the feasibility of distributing the SelfBack app through members of the Chiropractic Association of Alberta and the feasibility of patients using the app.
Justification
The SelfBack app is a promising decision support system (DSS) App used globally to support and reinforce desired self-management behaviour for LBP. Selfback's program goal is to improve the self-management of nonspecific low back pain (LBP) to reduce pain-related disability. Using applications (apps) has been suggested to be a promising way to increase the effectiveness of self-management interventions.
Objectives
Study Design
- Study Type
- Interventional
- Allocation
- Na
- Intervention Model
- Single Group
- Primary Purpose
- Supportive Care
- Masking
- None
Eligibility Criteria
- Ages
- 18 Years to — (Adult, Older Adult)
- Sex
- All
- Accepts Healthy Volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria
- •Practicing chiropractor in Alberta.
- •Will have access to ATLAS, ChiroSUITE, or Jane software packages
- •Must have completed and filed a Privacy Impact Assessment with the Government of Alberta, as identified under the Health Information Act.
- •Connected to Alberta's electronic health record, Netcare
- •Patient Inclusion Criteria:
- •Patients of enrolled chiropractors having persistent and/or recurrent LBP defined as those currently having LBP that has impacted daily activities for > 1 month. I
- •Alberta resident 18 years of age or older
- •Must have a personal smartphone with internet access.
- •Must have a working e-mail address.
- •Must speak, read, and write English or have regular access to persons who can assist in this regard.
- •Patient exclusion criteria:
- •Patients who have complex back pain that requires direct clinical oversight.
- •Patients with cognitive impairments or learning disabilities that limit participation.
- •Patients with serious mental illness.
- •Patients who have non-LBP illnesses or conditions that are contraindicated to participation in SelfBack (e.g. exercise).
- •Patients who have terminal illness
- •Patients who are unable to take part in exercise/physical activity.
Exclusion Criteria
- Not provided
Outcomes
Primary Outcomes
The percentage of patients who utilize the SelfBack app
Time Frame: 8 months
Success will be defined as 50% of patients using the app
Secondary Outcomes
- The percentage of clinicians who utilize the SelfBack app(8 months)