Carlos I Mesa-Castrillon1, Milena Simic2, Manuela L Ferreira3, Kristy Hatswell4, Georgina Luscombe5, Antonio Michell de Gregorio2, Phillip R Davis2, Adrian Bauman6, Stephen Bunker7, Ornella Clavisi8, Grahame Knox9, Kim L Bennell10, Paulo H Ferreira2. 1. Musculoskeletal Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, 75 East Street, Lidcombe, Sydney, NSW, 1825, Australia. cmes2692@uni.sydney.edu.au. 2. Musculoskeletal Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, 75 East Street, Lidcombe, Sydney, NSW, 1825, Australia. 3. Faculty of Medicine and Health, The Institute of Bone and Joint Research, The Kolling Institute, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia. 4. Physiotherapy department, Dubbo Health Service, Western NSW Local Health District, Dubbo, NSW, Australia. 5. School of Rural Health, The University of Sydney, Orange Campus, Orange, NSW, Australia. 6. School of Public Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia. 7. Medibank Private, Melbourne, VIC, Australia. 8. Musculoskeletal Australia, Muscle Bone & Joint Health Ltd, Melbourne, Australia. 9. Physiotherapy department, Orange Health Service, Western NSW Local Health District, Orange, NSW, Australia. 10. Centre for Health, Exercise and Sports Medicine, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
Abstract
BACKGROUND:Low back pain (LBP) and knee osteoarthritis (OA) are major contributors to disability worldwide. These conditions result in a significant burden at both individual and societal levels. Engagement in regular physical activity and exercise programs are known to improve physical function in both chronic LBP and knee OA populations. For people residing in rural areas, musculoskeletal conditions are often more frequent and disabling compared to urban populations, which could be the result of reduced access to appropriate health services and resources in rural settings. EHealth is an innovative solution to help provide equitable access to treatment for people with musculoskeletal pain living in rural settings. METHODS/ DESIGN: We will conduct a randomised clinical trial investigating the effects of an eHealth intervention compared to usual care, for people with chronic non-specific LBP or knee OA in rural Australia. We will recruit 156 participants with non-specific chronic LBP or knee OA. Following the completion of baseline questionnaires, participants will be randomly allocated to either the eHealth intervention group, involving a tailored physical activity and progressive resistance exercise program remotely delivered by a physiotherapist (n = 78), or usual care (n = 78) involving referral to a range of care practices in the community. Outcomes will be measured at baseline, 3 and 6 months post-randomisation. The primary outcome will be physical function assessed by the Patient-Specific Functional Scale (PSFS). Secondary outcomes include pain intensity, physical activity levels, activity limitations, quality of life, pain coping. We will also collect process evaluation data such as recruitment rate, attendance and adherence, follow-up rate, participants' opinions and any barriers encountered throughout the trial. DISCUSSION: The findings from this trial will establish the effectiveness of eHealth-delivered interventions that are known to be beneficial for people with LBP and knee OA when delivered in person. As a result, this trial will help to inform health care policy and clinical practice in Australia and beyond for those living in non-urban areas. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study was prospectively registered on the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ( ACTRN12618001494224 ) registered 09.05.2018.
RCT Entities:
BACKGROUND:Low back pain (LBP) and knee osteoarthritis (OA) are major contributors to disability worldwide. These conditions result in a significant burden at both individual and societal levels. Engagement in regular physical activity and exercise programs are known to improve physical function in both chronic LBP and knee OA populations. For people residing in rural areas, musculoskeletal conditions are often more frequent and disabling compared to urban populations, which could be the result of reduced access to appropriate health services and resources in rural settings. EHealth is an innovative solution to help provide equitable access to treatment for people with musculoskeletal pain living in rural settings. METHODS/ DESIGN: We will conduct a randomised clinical trial investigating the effects of an eHealth intervention compared to usual care, for people with chronic non-specific LBP or knee OA in rural Australia. We will recruit 156 participants with non-specific chronic LBP or knee OA. Following the completion of baseline questionnaires, participants will be randomly allocated to either the eHealth intervention group, involving a tailored physical activity and progressive resistance exercise program remotely delivered by a physiotherapist (n = 78), or usual care (n = 78) involving referral to a range of care practices in the community. Outcomes will be measured at baseline, 3 and 6 months post-randomisation. The primary outcome will be physical function assessed by the Patient-Specific Functional Scale (PSFS). Secondary outcomes include pain intensity, physical activity levels, activity limitations, quality of life, pain coping. We will also collect process evaluation data such as recruitment rate, attendance and adherence, follow-up rate, participants' opinions and any barriers encountered throughout the trial. DISCUSSION: The findings from this trial will establish the effectiveness of eHealth-delivered interventions that are known to be beneficial for people with LBP and knee OA when delivered in person. As a result, this trial will help to inform health care policy and clinical practice in Australia and beyond for those living in non-urban areas. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study was prospectively registered on the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ( ACTRN12618001494224 ) registered 09.05.2018.
Authors: Paolo Pillastrini; Ivan Gardenghi; Francesca Bonetti; Francesco Capra; Andrew Guccione; Raffaele Mugnai; Francesco S Violante Journal: Joint Bone Spine Date: 2011-05-12 Impact factor: 4.929
Authors: Helen Slater; Blake F Dear; Mark A Merolli; Linda C Li; Andrew M Briggs Journal: Best Pract Res Clin Rheumatol Date: 2016-06 Impact factor: 4.098
Authors: Brian R Theodore; Jan Whittington; Cara Towle; David J Tauben; Barbara Endicott-Popovsky; Alex Cahana; Ardith Z Doorenbos Journal: Pain Med Date: 2015-01-23 Impact factor: 3.750
Authors: Xiaozheng Kang; Marlene Fransen; Yuqing Zhang; Hu Li; Yan Ke; Ming Lu; Steve Su; Xiongying Song; Yong Guo; Jie Chen; Jingbo Niu; David Felson; Jianhao Lin Journal: Arthritis Rheum Date: 2009-05-15
Authors: Meegan G Van Straaten; Beth A Cloud; Melissa M Morrow; Paula M Ludewig; Kristin D Zhao Journal: Arch Phys Med Rehabil Date: 2014-06-02 Impact factor: 3.966