Group-based Exercise Training Programs for Military Members With Musculoskeletal Conditions

Summary

This randomized controlled trial will compare the mid- and long-term effects of group-based training programs with usual individual physiotherapy care for the treatment of musculoskeletal disorders in military. One hundred and twenty soldiers presenting one of the four targeted musculoskeletal disorders (low back pain, rotator cuff related pain, patellofemoral pain syndrome or lateral ankle sprain) will be recruited and randomly assigned to either a 12-weeks group-based training program or 12-weeks usual individual physiotherapy care.

Conditions

• Musculoskeletal Pain
• Low Back Pain
• Rotator Cuff Tendinitis
• Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome
• Ankle Sprains

Interventions

OTHER

Usual individual physiotherapy care

Usual and individual physiotherapy care guidelines were developed through a round-table discussion involving experts in musculoskeletal health. From the round-table discussion, the consensus as reflecting best-practices for the rehabilitation of musculoskeletal rehabilitation supported an active exercise rehabilitation approach which includes strengthening and neuromuscular training exercises. Furthermore, the following treatments are considered in addition to active exercises: * Range of motion: active, active-assisted, passive, repeated movements (Mulligan or McKenzie); * Stretching / manual therapy: mobilizations, manipulation, neural mobility, active release therapy; * Individual proprioceptive training.

OTHER

Group-supervised physiotherapy training programs

Three group-supervised physiotherapy training programs (The lumbar, the upper extremity and the lower extremity training programs) were developed for military members with musculoskeletal conditions. They are composed of stations that each include several exercises of varying levels of difficulty. Group size will vary between 5 to 20 participants for one physiotherapist, and each military member performs his/her own exercises. During a typical session, the participant and therapist will choose one exercise to perform per station according to two main criteria: severity of the condition and the ability to perform the exercises optimally. The level of supervision is adapted to the participant's needs and performance. Progression in the programs leads to the execution of exercises that simulate functional and occupational tasks.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)

  collaborator OTHER_GOV

• Laval University

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Jean-Sébastien Roy, PT, PhD · Laval University, Quebec, Qc (Canada)

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

DOUBLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Max Age

60 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2022-01-28

Primary Completion

2023-04-30

Completion

2023-08-31

Countries

• Canada

Study Locations