title: Using an internet intervention to support self-management of low back pain in primary care: protocol for a randomised controlled feasibility trial (SupportBack).
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Low back pain (LBP) is a prevalent and costly condition. The majority of patients experiencing LBP are managed in primary care, where first-line care recommendations consist of advice to self-manage and remain active. Internet interventions present a potential means of providing patients with tailored self-management advice and evidence-based support for increasing physical activity.
  
  
  METHODS
  This protocol describes a single-blind, randomised controlled feasibility trial of an internet intervention developed to support the self-management of LBP in primary care. Patients are being randomised to 1 of 3 groups receiving either usual primary care, usual primary care with the addition of an internet intervention or an internet intervention with physiotherapist telephone support. Patients are followed up at 3 months. Primary outcomes are the feasibility of (1) the trial design/methods, (2) the delivery of the internet intervention and (3) the provision of telephone support by physiotherapists. Secondary outcomes will include exploratory analysis of estimates and variation in clinical outcomes of pain and disability, in order to inform a future main trial.
  This feasibility trial has undergone ethical scrutiny and been approved by the National Health Service (NHS) Research Ethics Committee, REC Reference 13/SC/0202. The feasibility findings will be disseminated to the research community through presentations at conferences and publication in peer review journals. Broader dissemination will come following a definitive trial.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  ISRCTN 31034004.
authors.affiliation: Department of Primary Care and Population Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, Hampshire, UK.
authors.forename: Adam W A
authors.initials: AW
authors.lastname: Geraghty
authors.affiliation: Department of Primary Care and Population Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, Hampshire, UK.
authors.forename: Rosie
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Stanford
authors.affiliation: Department of Primary Care and Population Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, Hampshire, UK.
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Little
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, Hampshire, UK.
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Roberts
authors.affiliation: Research Institute of Primary Care and Health Sciences, Keele University, Stoke-on-Trent, UK.
authors.forename: Nadine E
authors.initials: NE
authors.lastname: Foster
authors.affiliation: Research Institute of Primary Care and Health Sciences, Keele University, Stoke-on-Trent, UK.
authors.forename: Jonathan C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Hill
authors.affiliation: Research Institute of Primary Care and Health Sciences, Keele University, Stoke-on-Trent, UK.
authors.forename: Elaine
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Hay
authors.affiliation: Department of Primary Care and Population Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, Hampshire, UK.
authors.forename: Beth
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Stuart
authors.affiliation: Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Turner
authors.affiliation: Centre for Applications of Health Psychology, University of Southampton, Southampton, Hampshire, UK.
authors.forename: Lucy
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Yardley
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000379:methods*; D011788:Quality of Life; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: PRIMARY CARE; REHABILITATION MEDICINE