Using an internet intervention to support self-management of low back pain in primary care: findings from a randomised controlled feasibility trial (SupportBack)

Geraghty, Adam W. A., Stanford, Rose, Stuart, Beth, Little, Paul, Roberts, Lisa C., Foster, Nadine E., Hill, Jonathan C., Hay, Elaine M., Turner, David ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1689-4147, Malakan, Wansida, Leigh, Linda and Yardley, Lucy (2018) Using an internet intervention to support self-management of low back pain in primary care: findings from a randomised controlled feasibility trial (SupportBack). BMJ Open, 8 (3). ISSN 2044-6055

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Abstract

Objective: To determine the feasibility of a randomised controlled trial of an internet intervention for low back pain (LBP) using 3 arms: 1) usual care, 2) usual care plus an internet intervention or 3) usual care plus an internet intervention with additional physiotherapist telephone support. Design and setting: A three-armed randomised controlled feasibility trial conducted in 12 general practices in England. Participants: Primary care patients aged over 18, with current LBP, access to the internet, and without indicators of serious spinal pathology or systemic illness. Interventions: The ‘SupportBack’ internet intervention delivers a 6-week, tailored programme, focused on graded goal setting, self-monitoring, and provision of tailored feedback to encourage physical activity. Additional physiotherapist telephone support consisted of three brief telephone calls over a 4-week period, to address any concerns and provide reassurance. Outcomes: The primary outcomes were the feasibility of the trial design including recruitment, adherence and retention at follow-up. Secondary descriptive and exploratory analyses were conducted on clinical outcomes including LBP-related disability at 3 months follow-up. Results: Primary outcomes: 87 patients with LBP were recruited (target 60-90) over 6 months, and there were 3 withdrawals. Adherence to the intervention was higher in the physiotherapist-supported arm, compared to the stand-alone internet intervention. Trial physiotherapists adhered to the support protocol. Overall follow-up rate on key clinical outcomes at three months follow-up was 84%. Conclusions: This study demonstrated the feasibility of a future definitive randomised controlled trial to determine the clinical and cost effectiveness of the SupportBack intervention in primary care patients with LBP. Trial registration: ISRCTN 31034004 Key words: Low back pain; internet intervention; self-management; primary care

Item Type:	Article
Faculty \ School:	Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Norwich Medical School
UEA Research Groups:	Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Groups > Health Economics Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Groups > Norwich Clinical Trials Unit Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Groups > Health Services and Primary Care Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Groups > Public Health and Health Services Research (former - to 2023) Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Centres > Population Health
Depositing User:	Pure Connector
Date Deposited:	18 Jan 2018 17:32
Last Modified:	19 Oct 2023 02:08
URI:	https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/66015
DOI:	10.1136/bmjopen-2017-016768

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