The Effect of Exercise on Recent Onset Low Back Pain in the Emergency Department

Summary

Low back pain (LBP) is the leading contributor to years lived with disability and an important contributor to healthcare costs and time off work. Exercise is effective for chronic low back pain, but there is a lack of evidence to inform whether exercise in the emergency department is effective for people with acute low back pain. This randomized controlled trial will evaluate the effectiveness of a brief exercise intervention provided in the emergency department for people with recent onset low back pain. People with acute low back pain (\<1 week) will be randomly assigned to either usual care or to usual care plus a brief exercise intervention delivered by trained physiotherapy students. The study will evaluate the impact of the added exercises on self-reported disability (primary outcome), pain intensity, global rating of change, patient satisfaction, and adverse events. In addition, we will pilot data collection related to return to work, healthcare utilization, and cost effectiveness outcomes to determine the feasibility of conducting a future trial with additional patient participants required to evaluate these outcomes. Outcomes will be evaluated at baseline, 48-72 hours, 1-week, 1-month, and 3-months from their initial emergency department visit. The results of this study have the potential to inform emergency department management of acute low back pain.

Conditions

• Low Back Pain

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Exercise

A standardized exercise program tailored to the individual based on their directional preferences and current functional abilities.

BEHAVIORAL

Advice to stay active and engaged in usual activities.

Participants will be advised that staying physically active and continuing to participate in usual activities improves recovery. This verbal advice will be reinforced with a written handout.

BEHAVIORAL

Advice on use of ice or heat

Participants will be advised on the appropriate use of ice or heat to manage pain. This verbal advice will be reinforced with a written handout.

OTHER

Advise regarding use of medications

Participants will receive education regarding the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) for pain relief, if needed and if the patient is appropriate for NSAIDs. Information regarding specific recommended doses, potential benefit and risk will be discussed.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Queen's University

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Jordan Miller, PhD · Queen's University

• Robert Brison, MD · Kingston Health Sciences Center and Queen's University

• Elizabeth Blackmore, MD · Kingston Health Sciences Center

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2018-05-01

Primary Completion

2018-11-30

Completion

2018-11-30

Countries

• Canada

Study Locations