Evaluation of an education and activation programme to prevent chronic shoulder complaints: design of an RCT [ISRCTN71777817].
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.
Bruijn
Camiel De
CD
Institute for Rehabilitation Research, Hoensbroek, The Netherlands. camieldebruijn@hetnet.nl
de Bie
Rob
R
Geraets
Jacques
J
Goossens
Marielle
M
Köke
Albère
A
van den Heuvel
Wim
W
van der Heijden
Geert
G
Dinant
Geert-Jan
GJ
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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