Core qualities of an educational program to reduce fears and beliefs of GPs about low back pain: Results of a GPs, experts and literature survey

BACKGROUND: Despite the fact that non-specific low back pain (LBP) is a frequent symptom, its management remains suboptimal in primary care. A plausible reason is the persistence of erroneous fears and beliefs among general practitioners (GPs). OBJECTIVE: We aimed to determine the core qualities an educational program should have to reduce erroneous fears and beliefs about LBP among GPs. METHODS: We used a two step-approach. In the first step, meaningful qualities were collected using comprehensive data source triangulation from GPs, experts and literature. In the second step, qualities were extracted by three independent investigators in a standardized manner using the Template for Intervention Description and Replication checklist. RESULTS: Qualities were collected from 8 GPs, 24 experts and 15 articles. Extraction revealed a wide range of qualities depending on participants’ background and literature. After consensus between investigators, the most meaningful qualities included evidence-based messages and web-based interventions (videos and classes) delivered by a multidisciplinary panel of experts. We found no systematic trend for when and how much, and how to tailor the intervention. CONCLUSIONS: Data source triangulation revealed that the core qualities of an educational program targeting fears and beliefs about LBP among GPs should include evidence-based information, web-based interventions and a multidisciplinary panel of experts. Our findings will help us to design a provisional targeted educational intervention. This will be further assessed in a mixed-method feasibility study and then in a randomized controlled trial.

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A web-based intervention to improve and prevent low back pain among office workers: a randomized controlled trial. Del Pozo-Cruz B, Adsuar JC, Parraca J, Del Pozo-Cruz J, Moreno A, Gusi N. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2012 Oct;42(10):831-41. doi: 10.2519/jospt.2012.3980. Epub 2012 Aug 2

The Spine Journal ◽

10.1016/j.spinee.2014.02.012 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 14 (5) ◽

pp. 850

Keyword(s):

Randomized Controlled Trial ◽

Low Back Pain ◽

Back Pain ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Office Workers ◽

Low Back ◽

Web Based ◽

Randomized Controlled

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Efficacy of a Sleep Quality Intervention in People With Low Back Pain: Protocol for a Feasibility Randomized Co-Twin Controlled Trial

Twin Research and Human Genetics ◽

10.1017/thg.2016.67 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 19 (5) ◽

pp. 492-501 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Marina B. Pinheiro ◽

Kevin K. Ho ◽

Manuela L. Ferreira ◽

Kathryn M. Refshauge ◽

Ron Grunstein ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Low Back Pain ◽

Back Pain ◽

Sleep Quality ◽

Sleep Problems ◽

Behavioral Therapy ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Recruitment Rate ◽

Poor Sleep ◽

Low Back ◽

Web Based

Poor sleep quality is highly prevalent in patients with low back pain (LBP) and is associated with high levels of pain, psychological distress, and physical disability. Studies have reported a bidirectional relationship between sleep problems and intensity of LBP. Accordingly, effective management of LBP should address sleep quality. In addition, genetics has been found to significantly affect the prevalence of both LBP and insomnia. Our study aims to establish the feasibility of a trial exploring the efficacy of a web-based sleep quality intervention in people with LBP, with the genetic influences being controlled for. 30 twins (15 complete pairs) with subacute or chronic LBP (>6 weeks) will be recruited from the Australian Twin Registry. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of the two groups with each twin within a pair receiving either an interactive web-based sleep intervention based on cognitive behavioral therapy principles (intervention) or a web-based education program (control) for 6 weeks. The feasibility of the trial will be investigated with regard to recruitment rate, feasibility of data collection and outcome measure completion, contamination of intervention, acceptability and experience of intervention, and sample size requirement for the full trial. Patient outcomes will be collected electronically at baseline, immediately post-treatment, and at 3-months’ follow-up post-randomization. This trial employs a robust design that will effectively control for the influence of genetics on treatment effect. Additionally, this study addresses sleep quality, a significant but under-explored issue in LBP. Results will inform the design and implementation of the definitive trial.

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Clinical effects of a nine-month web-based intervention in subacute non-specific low back pain patients: a randomized controlled trial

Clinical Rehabilitation ◽

10.1177/0269215512444632 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 27 (1) ◽

pp. 28-39 ◽

Cited By ~ 20

Author(s):

Borja del Pozo-Cruz ◽

Narcis Gusi ◽

Jesús del Pozo-Cruz ◽

Jose C Adsuar ◽

Miguel Hernandez-Mocholí ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Randomized Controlled Trial ◽

Low Back Pain ◽

Back Pain ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Clinical Effects ◽

Low Back ◽

Web Based ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Pain Patients

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MyBackPain—evaluation of an innovative consumer-focused website for low back pain: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2018-027516 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (5) ◽

pp. e027516

Author(s):

Leanne M Hall ◽

Manuela Ferreira ◽

Jenny Setchell ◽

Simon French ◽

Jessica Kasza ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Low Back Pain ◽

Back Pain ◽

Health Literacy ◽

Randomised Controlled Trial ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Treatment Preferences ◽

Evidence Based ◽

Low Back ◽

Randomised Controlled

IntroductionDespite the prevalence of low back pain (LBP) worldwide, many people with the condition do not receive evidence-based care or achieve the best possible outcomes. There is a gap in the dissemination of evidence-based information across the globe. The advent of the internet has changed the way people obtain health information. As such, trustworthy, tailored and validated LBP resources may help bridge the gap. This study aims to measure the effectiveness of a new website (MyBackPain) in improving spinal health literacy, treatment preferences and clinical outcomes for people with LBP, in comparison with other online resources.Methods and analysisThis online, pragmatic, randomised controlled trial will comprise 440 people with non-specific LBP of any duration. In addition to access to publicly available online information (control group), the intervention group will be given access to the MyBackPain.org.au website. Participants and research staff, including the biostatistician, will be blinded to treatment allocation. Data will be collected at baseline, 1, 3 (primary end-point), 6 and 12 months via online surveys and questionnaires. The primary outcome is spinal health literacy. Secondary outcomes include quality of treatment preferences (stated and observed) and LBP clinical outcomes (pain, disability and quality of life). Analyses will be by intention-to-treat and include outcome data on all randomised participants. Descriptive statistics will be presented for demographic and clinical characteristics.Ethics and disseminationThis trial has been prospectively registered with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry and has ethical approval from the University of Queensland Human Research Ethics Committee (2017000995). Trial outcomes will be shared via national and international conference presentations and peer-reviewed journal publications.Trial registration numberACTRN12617001292369; Pre-results.

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