Poster Presentation Sydney Spinal Symposium 2025

A feasibility randomised controlled trial of digitally delivered interventions for people with chronic low back pain seeking care in general practices (#10)

Isha Mishra 1 2 , Aidan G Cashin 1 2 , Rafael Z Pinto 1 2 3 4 , Ali Gholamrezaei 5 , James H Mcauley 1 2 , Rodrigo RN Rizzo 1 2
  1. School of Health Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
  2. Centre for Pain IMPACT, Neuroscience Research Australia, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
  3. Graduate School of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
  4. Department of Physical Therapy, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Minas Gerais, Brazil
  5. Pain Management Research Institute, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

 

Aim:

This study aimed to assess the feasibility of a randomised controlled trial comparing a mobile app (combining pain education and clinical hypnosis) to a digital guideline-informed factsheet for people with chronic low back pain attending general practice.

 

Methods:

Adults (≥18 years of age) with non-specific chronic low back pain attending general practices in Australia were recruited using a pre-consultation digital tool. Eligible individuals were randomised to access an 8-week mobile app intervention (which included daily clinical hypnosis and pain education sessions) or a single webpage with a guideline-informed factsheet for managing low back pain. Feasibility outcomes included randomisation rates, recruitment rates, attrition rates and questionnaire completion rates both at baseline and 8-week follow-up.

 

Results:
Out of 1,431 individuals who expressed interest, 304 provided contact details, and 153 were eligible. Sixty participants were randomised to receive the mobile app (n=30) or the digital guideline-informed factsheet (n=30). Five participants on average were randomised each week during the 13-week study period. Recruitment and attrition were enhanced through email and phone contact with participants. Of the 60 participants randomised, 56 (93%) completed all post-treatment follow-up questionnaires at 8 weeks. Two participants formally withdrew from the study, and two participants were lost to follow-up. Participants were a mean (SD) 51.4 (13.4) years old, reporting a mean (SD) baseline pain intensity of 6.1 (2.0) on a 0 to 10 Numeric Rating Scale and a mean (SD) baseline disability of 9.8 (4.4) on the 0 to 24 Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire.

 

Conclusion:

These findings indicate that conducting a trial in general Australian practices for chronic low back pain is feasible. Recruitment and attrition rates suggest it is achievable to enrol 720 participants over two years.