Low back pain without specific origin Musculoskeletal Diseases Dorsalgia
Conditions
Interventions
The intervention consists of two elements:
1. A risk-factor screening and risk tailored educational intervention including information and counselling
2. A telephone/email consulting service concernin
Sponsors
German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (Bundesministerium Fur Bildung und Forschung [BMBF]) (Germany)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Inclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria: General Practitioners (GPs) in Göttingen and within 20 minutes driving distance of the study centre and Berlin (less than 15 km distance from the study centre) are invited to take part in the trial by letter. Addresses were obtained from the local health boards. In case of non-response to the letter, GPs are contacted by telephone or personally. The GPs recruit patients according to the following inclusion criteria: 1. Men and women aged 20 - 60 years 2. Consultation for low back pain 3. Written informed consent
Exclusion criteria
Exclusion criteria: Patient: 1. Severe comorbidities (e.g. congestive heart failure, tumour) 2. Back pain of specific origin 3. Insufficient German language proficiency 4. Ongoing juridical proceedings due to pension claims 5. Prior spine surgery 6. Ongoing specialised pain treatment 7. Rehabilitation because of back pain in the past five years
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| 1. Functional disability as measured with the Hanover Functional Ability Questionnaire 2. Days of sick leave (over a 3-month recall period) | — |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Patients' characteristics as measured by a questionnaire: 1. Graded chronic pain (Graded Chronic Pain Scale [GCPS]) 2. Depression (Patient Health Questionnaire, German version [PHQ-D]) 3. Quality of life (PHQ-D, 12-item short form [SF-12]) 4. Fear Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire (FABQ) 5. Physical activity 6. Catastrophising (Fatigue Severity Scale [FSS]) 7. Health services utilisation All measures will be assessed at baseline and, 6 and 12 months after inclusion in the study. Additionally, participation in the counselling groups and telephone/email contacts will be documented. | — |
Countries
Germany
Outcome results
None listed