Such interventions would have the potential to reduce the prevalence of chronic pain in the population .
Although certain risk factors can identify individuals who are most likely to develop chronic pain , few interventions to prevent chronic pain have been identified .
To facilitate the identification of preventive interventions , an IMMPACT meeting was convened to discuss research design considerations for clinical trials investigating the prevention of chronic pain .
We present general design considerations for prevention trials in population s that are at relatively high risk for developing chronic pain .
Pain education to prevent chronic low back pain: a study protocol for a randomised controlled trial
Introduction Low back pain ( LBP ) is the leading cause of disability worldwide . Of those patients who present to primary care with acute LBP , 40 % continue to report symptoms 3 months later and develop chronic LBP . Although it is possible to identify these patients early , effective interventions to improve their outcomes are not available . This double-blind ( participant/ outcome assessor ) r and omised controlled trial will investigate the efficacy of a brief educational approach to prevent chronic LBP in ‘ at-risk ’ individuals . Methods / analysis Participants will be recruited from primary care practice s in the Sydney metropolitan area . To be eligible for inclusion participants will be aged 18–75 years , with acute LBP ( < 4 weeks ’ duration ) preceded by at least a 1 month pain-free period and at-risk of developing chronic LBP . Potential participants with chronic spinal pain and those with suspected serious spinal pathology will be excluded . Eligible participants who agree to take part will be r and omly allocated to receive 2 × 1 h sessions of pain biology education or 2 × 1 h sessions of sham education from a specially trained study physiotherapist . The study requires 101 participants per group to detect a 1-point difference in pain intensity 3 months after pain onset . Secondary outcomes include the incidence of chronic LBP , disability , pain intensity , depression , healthcare utilisation , pain attitudes and beliefs , global recovery and recurrence and are measured at 1 week post-intervention , and at 3 , 6 and 12 months post LBP onset . Ethics/dissemination Ethical approval was obtained from the University of New South Wales Human Ethics Committee in June 2013 ( ref number HC12664 ) . Outcomes will be disseminated through publication in peer- review ed journals and presentations at international conference meetings . Trial registration number https://www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/ Registration /Trial Review
Such interventions would have the potential to reduce the prevalence of chronic pain in the population .
Although certain risk factors can identify individuals who are most likely to develop chronic pain , few interventions to prevent chronic pain have been identified .
To facilitate the identification of preventive interventions , an IMMPACT meeting was convened to discuss research design considerations for clinical trials investigating the prevention of chronic pain .
We present general design considerations for prevention trials in population s that are at relatively high risk for developing chronic pain .