The BOOST programme (V1.0)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Better Outcomes for Older People with Spinal Trouble
IRAS ID
180241
Contact name
Frances Darton
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Oxford
ISRCTN Number
ISRCTN12698674
Duration of Study in the UK
8 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Low back pain (LBP) is the leading cause of disability worldwide. Over 70% of people will suffer with LBP in their lifetime with the most serious forms occurring in later life. LBP is associated with loss of mobility and falls in older people leading to frailty and decline in independence. Older people are more likely to have other health conditions considered to be more important than LBP so GPs and patients are less likely to prioritise treatment. There is a large body of research in LBP, but this has focused almost exclusively on younger people with little guidance for older people who we suspect respond differently to common treatments for LBP.\n\nThe Better Outcomes for Older people with Spinal Trouble (BOOST) trial will test two different approaches to physiotherapy designed to help older adults with lumbar spinal stenosis stay mobile and remain independent. Lumbar spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the spinal canal resulting in pressure on nerves and blood vessels that affects a person’s ability to walk and stand. \n\nParticipants will be allocated to a treatment arm; either best practice advice as directed in a physiotherapy appointment or attending 12 specially designed physiotherapy classes. We are recruiting over 400 adults across England from the OPAL study and spinal clinics, and will measure the effect of physiotherapy and cost to the NHS. We will conduct an interview study with 60 participants to understand experiences of living with back and leg problems and the trial physiotherapy treatment. \n\nThe research is funded by a National Institute of Health Research Programme Grant for Applied Research.
REC name
London - Brent Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/LO/0349
Date of REC Opinion
10 Mar 2016
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion