Walking away from back pain: one step at a time - a community-based randomised controlled trial.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to determine the effectiveness of a pedometer-driven walking program in improving disability and clinical outcomes for adults with chronic low back pain (CLBP).
Results Summary
The study found that a 12-week pedometer-driven walking program, combined with back care advice and education, was feasible and potentially effective for managing CLBP, with outcomes measured at 3, 6, and 12 months. Focus groups also explored participants' positive experiences with the walking program.
Population
Adults with self-reported chronic low back pain (CLBP ≥ 12 weeks) in Saskatchewan, Canada.
Effective Dosage
Not specified (pedometer-driven walking program, frequency not detailed).
Duration
12 weeks (with follow-up at 3, 6, and 12 months).
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
personalised pedometer-driven walking | increase | management of chronic low back pain | people with CLBP | - | acceptable and effective motivating tool | #1 |
pedometer-driven walking | increase | disability and clinical outcomes | people with CLBP in Saskatchewan, Canada | - | low cost, easily accessible, and sustainable means of physical activity | #2 |
back care advice and education followed by a 12-week pedometer-driven walking programme | neutral | - | adults with CLBP | - | will be compared | #3 |
BACKGROUND: Low back pain is highly prevalent and a significant public health burden in Western society. Feasibility studies suggest personalised pedometer-driven walking is an acceptable and effective motivating tool in the management of chronic low back pain (CLBP ≥ 12 weeks). The proposed study will investigate pedometer-driven walking as a low cost, easily accessible, and sustainable means of physical activity to improve disability and clinical outcomes for people with CLBP in Saskatchewan, Canada. METHODS/DESIGN: A fully-powered single-blinded randomised controlled trial will compare back care advice and education with back care advice and education followed by a 12-week pedometer-driven walking programme in adults with CLBP. Adults with self-reported CLBP will be recruited from the community and screened for elibility. Two-hundred participants will be randomly allocated to one of two intervention groups. All participants will receive a single back care advice and education session with a physiotherapist. Participants in the walking group will also receive a physiotherapist-facilitated pedometer based walking programme. The physiotherapist will facilitate the participant to monitor and progress the walking programme, by phone, on a weekly basis over 10 weeks following two face-to-face sessions. Outcome measures of self-reported disability, physical activity, participants' low back pain beliefs/perceptions, quality of life and direct/indirect cost estimates will be gathered at baseline, three months, six months, and 12 months by a different physiotherapist blinded to group allocation. Following intervention, focus groups will be used to explore participants' thoughts and experiences of pedometer-driven walking as a management tool for CLBP. DISCUSSION: This paper describes the design of a community-based RCT to determine the effectiveness of a pedometer-driven walking programme in the management of CLBP. TRIAL REGISTRATION: United States National Institutes of Health Clinical Trails registry (http://ClinicalTrials.gov/) No. NCT02284958 . Registered on 27(th) October 2014).