Stepping up the evidence for musculoskeletal services

STEMS study: STepping up the Evidence for Musculoskeletal Services: a pilot cluster randomised controlled trial

Status

Active, not recruiting

Phases

Phase 3

Study type

Interventional

Source

ISRCTN

Registry ID

ISRCTN23378642

Enrollment

960

Registered

2013-07-05

Start date

2013-06-10

Completion date

Unknown

Last updated

2017-04-03

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Topic: Primary Care Research Network for England

Interventions

Self referral physio pathway. The intervention is the addition of a self-referral to physiotherapy pathway to usual GP-led care for patients with a musculoskeletal condition Study Entry: Single Random

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

All

Inclusion criteria

Inclusion criteria: Adults consulting participating GP practices or physiotherapy services with musculoskeletal problems (for either their first consultation for a new episode of musculoskeletal pain or a reconsultation) Target Gender: Male & Female ; Lower Age Limit 18 years

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion criteria: 1. Under 18 years old 2. Those consulting with nonmusculoskeletal problems 3. Those unable to provide their own consent to the research evaluation 4. Those undergoing palliative care 5. Those with severe learning disabilities or are housebound or are in nursing home accommodation 6. Those unable to communicate in English

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame
Physical function, measured by Version 2.0 of SF-36 Health Survey Scoring Demonstration (SF36v2) physical component summary at baseline, 2, 6 and 12 months follow-up	—

Secondary

Measure	Time frame
1. Accessibility of services; Timepoint(s): 2 and 6 months 2. Baseline risk of persistent problems; Timepoint(s): Baseline only 3. Comorbidities; Timepoint(s): Baseline only 4. Demographics; Timepoint(s): Baseline only 5. Experience of consultations; Timepoint(s): Baseline, 2 and 6 months 6. Further health care utilisation; Timepoint(s): 2 and 6 months 7. Mental health; SF36v2 Mental Component Summary; Timepoint(s): baseline, 2, 6 and 12 months 8. Overall change in condition; Global Assessment of Change one question; Timepoint(s): 2, 6 and 12 months 9. Pain duration; Timepoint(s): Baseline only 10. Pain location; Timepoint(s): Baseline only 11. Presenteeism; Timepoint(s): Baseline, 2, 6 and 12 months 12. Quality of Life; Timepoint(s): Baseline, 2, 6 and 12 months 13. Satisfaction with services; Timepoint(s): 2 and 6 months 14. Self-efficacy; Timepoint(s): Baseline, 2, 6 and 12 months 15. Understanding of condition; Timepoint(s): Baseline, 2, 6 and 12 months 16. Willingness to pay; Timepoint(s): 12 months only 17. Work absence; Timepoint(s): Baseline, 2, 6 and 12 months	—

Measure

Time frame

1. Accessibility of services; Timepoint(s): 2 and 6 months 2. Baseline risk of persistent problems; Timepoint(s): Baseline only 3. Comorbidities; Timepoint(s): Baseline only 4. Demographics; Timepoint(s): Baseline only 5. Experience of consultations; Timepoint(s): Baseline, 2 and 6 months 6. Further health care utilisation; Timepoint(s): 2 and 6 months 7. Mental health; SF36v2 Mental Component Summary; Timepoint(s): baseline, 2, 6 and 12 months 8. Overall change in condition; Global Assessment of Change one question; Timepoint(s): 2, 6 and 12 months 9. Pain duration; Timepoint(s): Baseline only 10. Pain location; Timepoint(s): Baseline only 11. Presenteeism; Timepoint(s): Baseline, 2, 6 and 12 months 12. Quality of Life; Timepoint(s): Baseline, 2, 6 and 12 months 13. Satisfaction with services; Timepoint(s): 2 and 6 months 14. Self-efficacy; Timepoint(s): Baseline, 2, 6 and 12 months 15. Understanding of condition; Timepoint(s): Baseline, 2, 6 and 12 months 16. Willingness to pay; Timepoint(s): 12 months only 17. Work absence; Timepoint(s): Baseline, 2, 6 and 12 months

—

Countries

United Kingdom

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ISRCTN (via WHO ICTRP) · Data processed: Mar 17, 2026