title: Evaluation of an education and activation programme to prevent chronic shoulder complaints: design of an RCT [ISRCTN71777817].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  About half of all newly presented episodes of shoulder complaints (SC) in general practice are reported to last for at least six months. Early interventions aimed at the psychological and social determinants of SC are not common in general practice, although such interventions might prevent the development of chronic SC. The Education and Activation Programme (EAP) consists of an educational part and a time-contingent activation part. The aim of the EAP is to provide patients with the proper cognitions by means of education, and to stimulate adequate behaviour through advice on activities of daily living.
  
  
  METHODS
  The article describes the design of a randomised clinical trial (RCT) to evaluate the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of an EAP in addition to usual care, compared to usual care only, in the prevention of chronic SC after six months. It also describes the analysis of the cost and effect balance. Patients suffering from SC for less than three months are recruited in general practice and through open recruitment. A trained general practitioner or a trained therapist administers the EAP.Primary outcome measures are patient-perceived recovery, measured by self-assessment on a seven-point scale, and functional limitations in activities of daily living. Questionnaires are used to study baseline measures, prognostic measures, process measures and outcome measures.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The inclusion of patients in the study lasted until December 31st 2003. Data collection is to end in June 2004.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Rehabilitation Research, Hoensbroek, The Netherlands. camieldebruijn@hetnet.nl
authors.forename: Camiel De
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Bruijn
authors.forename: Rob
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: de Bie
authors.forename: Jacques
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Geraets
authors.forename: Marielle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Goossens
authors.forename: Albère
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Köke
authors.forename: Wim
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: van den Heuvel
authors.forename: Geert
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: van der Heijden
authors.forename: Geert-Jan
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Dinant
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002908:Chronic Disease; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; D005194:Family Practice; D015438:Health Behavior; D006266:Health Education; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009426:Netherlands; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care / Q000379:methods; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology*; D015397:Program Evaluation / Q000379:methods; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D012782:Shoulder / Q000503:physiopathology*
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