Low Back Pain, Low Back Pain, Recurrent
Conditions
Keywords
low back pain, recurrent, subacute, secondary prevention, primary care, occupational health, back book, rehabilitation
Brief summary
The purpose of this study is: * Epidemiological part: characteristics of low back pain patients from a forestry company in Finland. Data is collected from occupational health databases and self administered questionnaires. * Intervention: To determine the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of several different interventions in subacute low back pain (LBP) patients in occupational health (OH).
Detailed description
Eligible subjects were divided into two randomised controlled trials with the name of mild or moderate low back pain trials (interventions) and also mild vs natural course (NC) and moderate vs. NC interventions. Pain, disability and quality of life were collected up to 2 years by self-administered questionnaires and sickness absences were gathered from electronical records for at least 4 year's follow up time.
Interventions
OTHERModerate
A two level active intervention with a control group was executed for patients suffering from non-acute, moderate LBP in occupational health. Patients were selected by using a self-administered postal questionnaire.
OTHERMild
A one level intervention with long-term effectiveness and cost-effectiveness was executed for patients suffering from non-acute mild level LBP in occupational health. Patients were selected by using a self-administered postal questionnaire.
OTHERMild vs. NC
A two level intervention with long-term effectiveness and cost-effectiveness was executed for patients suffering from non-acute mild level LBP in occupational health. Intervention arms were compared to NC - no intervention group.
OTHERModerate vs. NC
A three level intervention with two control groups was executed for patients suffering from non-acute, moderate LBP in occupational health. RCT intervention groups were compared to NC group - i.e. no intervention.
Sponsors
University of Oulu
Juho Vainio Foundation
Finnish Cultural Foundation
Yrjo Jahnsson Foundation
Finnish Work Environment Fund
University of Helsinki
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
TRIPLE (Subject, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 56 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* age 18-56 years * present employment at the company * at least one criteria out the following qualified for the study: * nonspecific LBP with the duration of 2 weeks or more * radiating, present low back pain * recurrent LBP (2 or more episodes per year) * work absence because of LBP * included subjects also responded having low back pain during preceding week prior to the questionnaire (VAS ≥ 10 mm, Visual Analogue Scale 0-100 mm) According to pain level, patients were later divided into two separate RCT's, mild: VAS 10mm - 34mm, moderate: VAS 35mm or more.
Exclusion criteria
* retirement * acute nerve root compression symptoms * malignant tumor * recent fracture * severe osteoporosis * other specific disease preventing participation in the follow-up
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Sickness absence days (Low back (LB) specific, other than LB, total) | 6, 12, 24, 36, 48 months |
| Low back pain (VAS) | 0, 3, 6, 12, 24 months |
| Disability (Roland Morris 18) | 0, 3, 6, 12, 24 months |
| Quality of Life (15-D) | 0, 3, 6, 12, 24 months |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Sickness absence periods | 6, 12, 24, 36, 48 months |
| Disability (Oswestry's index) | 3, 6, 12, 24 months |
Countries
Finland
Outcome results
None listed