SupportBack 2

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  Supporting self-management of low back pain with an internet intervention in primary care: A randomised controlled trial of clinical and cost-effectiveness

• IRAS ID

  241956

• Contact name

  Adam Geraghty

• Contact email

  A.W.Geraghty@soton.ac.uk

• Sponsor organisation

  University of Southampton

• Duration of Study in the UK

  3 years, 1 months, 30 days

• Research summary

  Supporting self-management of low back pain with an internet intervention in primary care: A randomised controlled trial of clinical and cost-effectiveness

  Low back pain (LBP) is one of the most common and costly problems seen in General Practitioner’s (GP) surgeries. Internet interventions may provide a new and efficient way of supporting and encouraging patients to become more active in self-management of LBP.

  The aim of this study is to determine if an internet intervention called ‘SupportBack’, provided both with and without guidance from a Physiotherapist over the telephone, is effective in reducing LBP-related disability when compared to usual primary care alone. 806 primary care patients with current LBP will be recruited through their GP practice for a Randomised Controlled Trial (RCT) comparing three groups:

  1. Usual care
  2. Usual care + internet intervention
  3. Usual care + internet intervention + telephone Physiotherapist support

  SupportBack provides advice and reassurance, and encourages physical activity over a six-week period. Tailored online materials support gradual goal setting, facilitate monitoring of back-related activities and provide personalised feedback. Telephone Physiotherapist support will address concerns, provide reassurance and encourage uptake and compliance with activity goals.

  Participants will be followed up at six weeks, three, six and 12 months. Questionnaires will explore how LBP is affecting their daily activities, their level of pain intensity and other LBP-related issues. A GP medical records review will be performed at 12 months which will record health care service use. LBP related costs will be calculated. In-depth qualitative interviews will be conducted with up to 30 trial participants across the three groups to explore their experiences of SupportBack and the care they have received over the trial period.

  As well as GPs, Psychologists, Physiotherapists, Rheumatologists and Statisticians, the team will include members of the public with experience of LBP who will provide input at all stages of the study.

• REC name

  South Central - Hampshire B Research Ethics Committee

• REC reference

  18/SC/0388

• Date of REC Opinion

  17 Aug 2018

• REC opinion

  Further Information Favourable Opinion