Acute low back pain Musculoskeletal Diseases Dorsalgia
Conditions
Interventions
Control participants will receive the usual treatment from the occupational health nurse based on the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) guidelines, i.e. advice promoting positive attitudes
no signs of serious damage
will recover in a few days or weeks
go home
continue to take simple analgesia/anti-inflammatory as needed
activity is helpful and too much rest is not, so just take a little rest when needed
increase physical activities progressively over days or weeks
avoid heavy lifting
maintain a good posture
stay at work or return to work as soon as possible
go to GP if no improvement in 24/48 hours. This usual care will take 15 minutes. Each participant will be given a copy of "The Back Book" that contains this advice and offers a home reference source.
use of private physiotherapy and complementary therapies.
Intervention participants will receive usual treatment from the occupational health nurse as per the control group, plus direct referral to
Sponsors
University of Southampton (UK)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Inclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria: 1. Non-specific LBP subjects 2. Aged between 18 - 65 years, either sex 3. Had an acute episode of LBP within the last 4 weeks, between the lowest palpable ribs, posterior axillary lines and gluteal folds, with or without referral into the legs 4. A score of 4 or more on the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (RDQ) 5. No acute episode of LBP in the preceding 1 month
Exclusion criteria
Exclusion criteria: 1. Inability to complete the questionnaires 2. Unable to exercise 3. Unstable co-existing rheumatic, cardiovascular, respiratory, neurological, psychiatric or psychological disorders 4. Use of systemic steroids and anticoagulants 5. Progressive nerve root signs and symptoms 6. Cauda equina symptoms 7. Non-mechanical pain 8. Presently referred to a medical specialist for investigations in relation to LBP 9. Previous attendance or awaiting treatment at a specialist pain management centre 10. Involvement in a litigation process related to LBP
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Change in the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (RDQ), recorded at the initial baseline assessment and post-randomisation at 6 weeks, 3, 6 and 12 month follow-ups, with the 3-month comparison seen as the primary point of interest in this study. | — |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Recorded at baseline assessment and 3, 6 and 12 month follow-ups. The Graded Chronic Pain Scale (GCPS) and the Work Limitations Questionnaire (WLQ), will also be recorded at 6 weeks following randomisation: 1. The severity of LBP as defined by pain intensity and interference with daily activities will be assessed using the modified Graded Chronic Pain Scale (GCPS) 2. Work Limitations Questionnaire (WLQ), a generic role-specific measure of work outcome 3. Health Related Quality of Life will be assessed using the EuroQol 4. Fear Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire (FABQ) 5. Back Beliefs Questionnaire 6. Economic measures; a modified version of the Client Services Receipt Inventory (CSRI) 7. EuroQol will be used to calculate the cost of the interventions per quality adjusted life year (QALY) | — |
Countries
United Kingdom
Outcome results
None listed