GREAT 2 study
Research type
Research Study
Full title
GRoups for Engaging efficiently with Alexander Technique 2(GREAT 2 study)
IRAS ID
214857
Contact name
Paul Little
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Southampton
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
N/A, N/A
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
GRoups for Engaging efficiently with the Alexander Technique (GREAT study)
Previous research into the efficacy of the Alexander Technique for treating back pain has shown two things. Firstly, that a short course of individual lessons (6 lessons, ASPEN trial) does not quite produce the minimum clinically important difference in participants' Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ) scores. Secondly, a longer course of individual lessons (10 lessons, ATEAM trial) does produce a clinically important difference but would be less cost effective for the NHS to fund when compared with alternative treatment options. The aim of the GREAT study is to produce a course of lessons that includes a balance of individual lessons and group lessons so as to potentially increase the cost effectiveness whilst still producing clinically meaningful results.
Our small amount of initial funding has covered the initial design of the course of lessons as well as running the first group in this format. Feedback from qualitative interviews with both participants and AT teachers has lead to minor alterations to this format. Currently participants will be expected to attend 4 individual lessons and 6 group lessons in total, beginning with at least one individual lesson prior to the first group lesson. Participants will be asked to complete weekly RMDQ and days in pain questionnaires as well as longer format Baseline and Follow up Questionnaires. Participants and a sample of Society of Teachers of the Alexander Technique members (including but not limited to those who teach groups as part of the study) will also be asked to take part in semi-structured qualitative interviews about their experience of the course of lessons.
REC name
East Midlands - Derby Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/EM/0185
Date of REC Opinion
20 Jun 2017
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion