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Using an internet intervention to support self-management of low back pain in primary care: findings from a randomised controlled feasibility trial (SupportBack).

Geraghty, Adam W A; Stanford, Rosie; Stuart, Beth; Little, Paul; Roberts, Lisa C; Foster, Nadine E; Hill, Jonathan C; Hay, Elaine M; Turner, David; Malakan, Wansida; Leigh, Linda; Yardley, Lucy

Using an internet intervention to support self-management of low back pain in primary care: findings from a randomised controlled feasibility trial (SupportBack). Thumbnail


Authors

Adam W A Geraghty

Rosie Stanford

Beth Stuart

Paul Little

Lisa C Roberts

Nadine E Foster

David Turner

Wansida Malakan

Linda Leigh

Lucy Yardley



Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To determine the feasibility of a randomised controlled trial of an internet intervention for low back pain (LBP) using three arms: (1) usual care, (2) usual care plus an internet intervention or (3) usual care plus an internet intervention with additional physiotherapist telephone support.

DESIGN AND SETTING: A three-armed randomised controlled feasibility trial conducted in 12 general practices in England.

PARTICIPANTS: Primary care patients aged over 18 years, with current LBP, access to the internet and without indicators of serious spinal pathology or systemic illness.

INTERVENTIONS: The 'SupportBack' internet intervention delivers a 6-week, tailored programme, focused on graded goal setting, self-monitoring and provision of tailored feedback to encourage physical activity. Additional physiotherapist telephone support consisted of three brief telephone calls over a 4-week period, to address any concerns and provide reassurance.

OUTCOMES: The primary outcomes were the feasibility of the trial design including recruitment, adherence and retention at follow-up. Secondary descriptive and exploratory analyses were conducted on clinical outcomes including LBP-related disability at 3 months follow-up.

RESULTS: Primary outcomes: 87 patients with LBP were recruited (target 60-90) over 6 months, and there were 3 withdrawals. Adherence to the intervention was higher in the physiotherapist-supported arm, compared with the stand-alone internet intervention. Trial physiotherapists adhered to the support protocol. Overall follow-up rate on key clinical outcomes at 3?months follow-up was 84%.

CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated the feasibility of a future definitive randomised controlled trial to determine the clinical and cost-effectiveness of the SupportBack intervention in primary care patients with LBP.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ISRCTN31034004; Results.

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Jan 16, 2018
Publication Date Mar 9, 2018
Publicly Available Date Mar 28, 2024
Journal BMJ Open
Publisher BMJ Publishing Group
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 8
Issue 3
Article Number e016768
DOI https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2017-016768
Publisher URL http://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/8/3/e016768.info

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