Message framing and behavioural intentions in people with LBP. Ver 0.1

  • Research type

    Research Study

  • Full title

    Does message framing influence behavioural intentions in people with low back pain? A randomised exploratory study examining low back pain risk communication.

  • IRAS ID

    260875

  • Contact name

    Peter Goodwin

  • Contact email

    p.goodwin@mmu.ac.uk

  • Sponsor organisation

    Manchester Metropolitan University

  • Duration of Study in the UK

    0 years, 5 months, 31 days

  • Research summary

    Why is this important?:\nPatients experiencing acute low back pain (LBP) are more likely to be physically inactive, have a negative outlook, avoid painful activities and have a passive approach to treatment; compared with people without pain. These unhelpful behaviours contribute to the severity and frequency of LBP, and consequently increase the risk of it becoming a persistent, long term problem. Therefore the early advice and management is crucial in reducing the long term burden. The healthcare professional providing this advice must consider the wording of messages carefully. Message framing is therefore an important part of health communication to ensure positive behavioural change in patients with low back pain. \n\nWhat we will do?\nPeople with LBP will complete an online survey. They will be randomly allocated within the survey, to receive loss and gain framed messages. The online questionnaire contains a series of questions to determine their intentions to change behaviour and their emotional response after reading the messages.\n\nWhat we want to know\n1)\tAre loss or gain framed messages more effective at influencing intentions to change behaviour?\n2)\tAre these behavioural intentions driven by the desire to improve LBP symptoms, or reduce the risk of persistent LBP?\n3)\tTo what extent do differently framed messages produce emotional responses?\n4)\tWhat are the predictors of behavioural intentions in people with low back pain? \n\nWho can take part?\nAll people with LBP will be eligible to take part in the short online survey. This survey will be available for a six month period. Recruitment will be from patients attending a physiotherapy department in an Oldham NHS service. We will also utilise social media (Twitter and Facebook) to advertise the online survey.\n

  • REC name

    South West - Central Bristol Research Ethics Committee

  • REC reference

    19/SW/0134

  • Date of REC Opinion

    1 Aug 2019

  • REC opinion

    Further Information Favourable Opinion