Meta-analyses did not reveal any differences in effect between multifaceted strategies and controls .
Conclusion This review showed that multifaceted strategies for the implementation of neck and /or back pain guidelines in health care do not significantly improve professional behaviour outcomes .
No effects on patient outcomes or cost of care could be found .
Background For the optimal use of clinical guidelines in daily practice , mere distribution of guidelines and material s is not enough , and active implementation is needed .
This review investigated the effectiveness of multifaceted implementation strategies compared to minimal , single , or no implementation strategy for the implementation of non-specific low back and /or neck pain guidelines in health care .
Evaluation of a Theory-Informed Implementation Intervention for the Management of Acute Low Back Pain in General Medical Practice: The IMPLEMENT Cluster Randomised Trial
Introduction This cluster r and omised trial evaluated an intervention to decrease x-ray referrals and increase giving advice to stay active for people with acute low back pain ( LBP ) in general practice . Methods General practice s were r and omised to either  access to a guideline for acute LBP ( control ) or facilitated interactive workshops ( intervention ) . We measured behavioural predictors ( e.g. knowledge , attitudes and intentions ) and fear avoidance beliefs . We were unable to recruit sufficient patients to measure our original primary outcomes so we introduced other outcomes measured at the general practitioner ( GP ) level : behavioural simulation ( clinical decision about vignettes ) and rates of x-ray and CT-scan ( medical administrative data ) . All those not involved in the delivery of the intervention were blinded to allocation . Results 47 practice s ( 53 GPs ) were r and omised to the control and 45 practice s ( 59 GPs ) to the intervention . The number of GPs available for analysis at 12 months varied by outcome due to missing confounder information ; a minimum of 38 GPs were available from the intervention group , and a minimum of 40 GPs from the control group . For the behavioural constructs , although effect estimates were small , the intervention group GPs had greater intention of practising consistent with the guideline for the clinical behaviour of x-ray referral . For behavioural simulation , intervention group GPs were more likely to adhere to guideline recommendations about x-ray ( OR 1.76 , 95%CI 1.01 , 3.05 ) and more likely to give advice to stay active ( OR 4.49 , 95%CI 1.90 to 10.60 ) . Imaging referral was not statistically significantly different between groups and the potential importance of effects was unclear ; rate ratio 0.87 ( 95%CI 0.68 , 1.10 ) for x-ray or CT-scan . Conclusions The intervention led to small changes in GP intention to practice in a manner that is consistent with an evidence -based guideline , but it did not result in statistically significant changes in actual behaviour . Trial Registration Australian New Zeal and Clinical Trials Registry
Meta-analyses did not reveal any differences in effect between multifaceted strategies and controls .
Conclusion This review showed that multifaceted strategies for the implementation of neck and /or back pain guidelines in health care do not significantly improve professional behaviour outcomes .
No effects on patient outcomes or cost of care could be found .
Background For the optimal use of clinical guidelines in daily practice , mere distribution of guidelines and material s is not enough , and active implementation is needed .
This review investigated the effectiveness of multifaceted implementation strategies compared to minimal , single , or no implementation strategy for the implementation of non-specific low back and /or neck pain guidelines in health care .