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

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

More information

Identifiers

ORCID for Adam Geraghty: orcid.org/0000-0001-7984-8351

ORCID for Beth Stuart: orcid.org/0000-0001-5432-7437

ORCID for Lisa Roberts: orcid.org/0000-0003-2662-6696

ORCID for Lucy Yardley: orcid.org/0000-0002-3853-883X

Catalogue record

Export record

Altmetrics