title: Protective and Harmful Effects of Physical Activity for Low Back Pain: A Protocol for the AUstralian Twin BACK Pain (AUTBACK) Feasibility Study.
abstract: Low back pain (LBP) is a major health problem globally, but approaches to prevention are not yet clearly identified because modifiable risk factors are not well established. Although physical activity is one promising modifiable risk factor, it is still not known what types and doses of physical activity are protective or harmful for LBP. The aim of this study is to establish the feasibility of a definitive cohort study that will investigate the effects of different types and doses of physical activity on the risk of developing recurrent LBP while accounting for genetic factors. This will be a pilot longitudinal twin study and twins will be recruited from the Australian Twin Registry, and will be followed over 1 year. Thirty adult complete twin pairs with a history of LBP, but symptom free at recruitment, will be included. Data on physical activity (predictor) will be collected using four questionnaires and an objective measure (accelerometer) at baseline and at 6-month follow-up. Twins will also complete an additional physical activity questionnaire monthly. Data on LBP (outcome) will be collected at baseline and weekly. Data will be collected using short message service (SMS) and email. We will keep records of the recruitment rate, follow-up rate, and completeness of data. Barriers to completing the study will be investigated. The results of this study will inform the design and implementation of a future definitive study, which will help to clarify the effects of different types and doses of physical activity on the risk of developing recurrent LBP.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health Sciences,The University of Sydney,Sydney,New South Wales,Australia.
authors.forename: Marina B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Pinheiro
authors.affiliation: The George Institute for Global Health & Institute of Bone and Joint Research/The Kolling Institute,Sydney Medical School,The University of Sydney,Sydney,Australia.
authors.forename: Manuela L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Ferreira
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health Sciences,The University of Sydney,Sydney,New South Wales,Australia.
authors.forename: Kathryn
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Refshauge
authors.affiliation: Centre for Epidemiology & Biostatistics,Melbourne School of Population and Global Health,The University of Melbourne,Melbourne,Victoria,Australia.
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hopper
authors.affiliation: The George Institute for Global Health,Sydney Medical School,The University of Sydney,Sydney,New South Wales,Australia.
authors.forename: Christopher G
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Maher
authors.affiliation: Center for Muscle and Joint Health,University of Southern Denmark and Nordic Institute of Chiropractic and Clinical Biomechanics,Odense,Denmark.
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hartvigsen
authors.affiliation: Department of General Practice,Erasmus MC,University Medical Centre,Rotterdam,Netherlands.
authors.forename: Bart
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Koes
authors.affiliation: Neuroscience Research Australia and The University of New South Wales,Sydney,New South Wales,Australia.
authors.forename: Markus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hübscher
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health Sciences,The University of Sydney,Sydney,New South Wales,Australia.
authors.forename: Paulo H
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Ferreira
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015444:Exercise; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000235:genetics* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012042:Registries; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014427:Twins / Q000235:genetics*
keywords: longitudinal study; low back pain; physical activity; risk factors; twin study