Physical activity levels/patterns in pain management
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Assessing changes in physical activity levels/patterns following a pain management programme, and whether these changes are associated with musculoskeletal health
IRAS ID
276156
Contact name
Deborah Antcliff
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 5 months, 31 days
Research summary
Twenty-eight million people in the UK have persistent pain (pain for at least three months). Persistent pain, including chronic low back pain/neck pain, chronic widespread pain and fibromyalgia often has a large impact on people’s level of activity/sedentary behaviours, together with impacting on their mental health.
The Bury Integrated Pain Service provides Pain Management Programmes (PMPs) for adult patients with persistent pain. PMPs comprise of six weekly sessions to teach coping strategies such as goal setting, activity pacing, graded exercises and sleep hygiene/relaxation. However, it is not known how effective PMPs are in improving activity levels, and whether this is related to improvements in health.
This study will test the feasibility of measuring changes in activity following the PMPs and explore whether any changes in activity levels are related to changes in symptoms. To measure physical activity, we will ask patients to wear a thigh-worn accelerometer. Accelerometers are like ‘fitbits’ and provide a measure of people’s levels of activity/inactivity/sleep patterns. Participants will wear the accelerometers for three one-week periods: prior to the PMP, on completing the PMP and at three-month’s follow-up. This will enable us to see whether activity levels change after treatment and if they are sustained. Participants’ symptoms will be measured using questionnaires at the same three time-points. The questionnaires will contain measures of pain, musculoskeletal health (function and wellbeing), depression, anxiety, self-efficacy and activity pacing.
We are aiming for 50 participants to wear the accelerometers before and after PMPs. We will invite 12-16 participants to undertake an interview regarding their opinions on using the accelerometers. This study will last for 18 months. The findings of this study will enable us to plan a larger scale clinical trial. This research is important to help us to make clearer recommendations on how changes in activity levels may improve health.
REC name
South West - Cornwall & Plymouth Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
22/SW/0057
Date of REC Opinion
25 Apr 2022
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion