The STarT Back Screening Tool (SBST) has been used in different healthcare settings in order to stratify the management of patients with low back pain. However, to date, no study has investigated the feasibility of implementing the SBST in emergency departments. The objective of this study will be to test the implementation of the SBST in the stratification of patients seeking care in emergency departments.
The Start Back Screening Tool (SBST) aims to identify and stratify primary care patients by using modifiable prognostic indicators that are relevant in clinical decision making. The objective of this study will be to test the feasibility of the implementation of the SBST in the stratification of patients seeking care in emergency departments. Study design: A prospective longitudinal cohort study with a 6-month follow-up. Intervention: At 6-weeks after baseline consultation, patients will be targeted to the specific treatment according to their subclassification in the SBST tool: education about pain neurophysiology and physical therapy. This is the first study that will provide results about logistic processes of the implementation of the SBST in the emergency sector, present feasibility data for the conduction of a large randomized controlled trial of subgroups of low back pain.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
HEALTH_SERVICES_RESEARCH
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
200
Patients classified as low risk of persistent pain will be educated about their condition and how to manage their back pain by targeting modifiable prognostic factors. Patients classified as medium risk will receive evidence-based physical therapy. Patients classified as high risk will receive evidence-based physical therapy as well as individualized psychological intervention.
Feasibility from the perspective of the patient
Feasibility will be measured by using 4 constructs (Adoption, adequacy, feasibility and fidelity). These constructs will be measured by using yes/no questions.
Time frame: Adoption at 6 weeks (i.e. at the implementation of treatment after stratification)
Feasibility from the perspective of the patient
Feasibility will be measured by using 4 constructs (Adoption, adequacy, feasibility and fidelity). These constructs will be measured by using yes/no questions.
Time frame: Adequacy at 3 months.
Feasibility from the perspective of the patient
Feasibility will be measured by using 4 constructs (Adoption, adequacy, feasibility and fidelity). These constructs will be measured by using yes/no questions.
Time frame: Fidelity at 3 months.
Feasibility from the perspective of the patient
Feasibility will be measured by using 4 constructs (Adoption, adequacy, feasibility and fidelity). These constructs will be measured by using yes/no questions.
Time frame: Feasibility at 3 months.
Pain intensity measured by a 0-10 Pain Numerical Rating Scale
Pain intensity will be measured by an 11-point (0-10) Pain Numerical Rating Scale (Pain NRS). Higher scores indicates higher pain intensity.
Time frame: 1, 2, 6 weeks and 3 and 6 months after first consultation at the emergency department.
Disability measured by the 0-24 Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire
Disability will be measured by the 24-item Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire. Higher scores indicates higher disability.
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Time frame: 6 weeks and 3 and 6 months after first consultation at the emergency department.
Risk of persistent disability measured by the 0-9 Start Back Screening Tool.
Risk of persistent disability will be measured using the 0-9 point Start Back Screening Tool. The higher the score the higher is the risk of persistent disability.
Time frame: 1, 2, 6 weeks and 3 and 6 months after first consultation at the emergency department.
Global Impression of Recovery measured by the -5 to + 5 Global Perceived Effect Scale.
Global Impression of Recovery will be measured using the 11-item Global Perceived Effect Scale. Positive values represents recovery and negative values represents deterioration of symptoms.
Time frame: 1, 2, 6 weeks and 3 and 6 months after first consultation at the emergency department.
Recovery from pain
Recovery from pain will be measured using a yes/no question (i.e. Were you completely free of back pain over the last month?)
Time frame: 1, 2, 6 weeks and 3 and 6 months after first consultation at the emergency department.
Depressive symptoms over the last week.
Depression will be measured by a single question on how depressed patients were over the last week (measured on a 0-10 likert scale)
Time frame: 1, 2, 6 weeks and 3 and 6 months after first consultation at the emergency department.
Recurrence of low back pain symptoms
Patients who recovered will be asked if they have experience a recurrence of symptoms
Time frame: 6 weeks and 3 and 6 months after first consultation at the emergency department.