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Alberta Chiropractic SelfBack Study

Chronic Low-back Pain

Recurrent and persistent low back pain (LBP) is a massive problem in Canada that causes a substantial pain, disability, cost, and even premature death.

The good news is that treatments for recurrent and persistent LBP are available. Many guidelines now recommend education and exercise as the best intervention for chronic LBP. Unfortunately, education and exercise programs are not publicly funded in Canada-only Canadians with extended health benefits can access these programs.

As a result, the 50% of Canadians who do not have extended health benefits often seek care for LBP from their publicly funded physicians. Physicians, in turn, have little choice but to reach for what they have available, including opioids, x-rays and referrals to specialists. Not only are these interventions unhelpful for chronic LBP, they are often harmful, sometimes deadly, and disproportionately affect lower socio-economic status households.

A possible solution to this problem exists in a validated app (SelfBack) that provides tailored self-management plans consisting of advice on physical activity, physical exercises, and educational content. Tailoring of treatment plans to individuals is achieved by using case-based reasoning (CBR) methodology which is a branch of artificial intelligence.

This study will evaluate the feasibility of distributing the SelfBack app to persons experiencing LBP through their chiropractors.

The results of this study will help us understand the barriers and facilitators of distributing and using the app through Alberta Chiropractors. This information will be used to apply for funding for a larger study to understand the effectiveness of the app as an intervention for persistent and recurrent LBP.

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Participation Requirements

  • Sex:

    ALL

  • Eligible Ages:

    18 and up

Participation Criteria

Clinician Inclusion Criteria:

* Practicing chiropractor in Alberta.
* Will have access to ATLAS, ChiroSUITE, or Jane software packages
* Must have completed and filed a Privacy Impact Assessment with the Government of Alberta, as identified under the Health Information Act.
* Connected to Alberta's electronic health record, Netcare

Patient Inclusion Criteria:

* Patients of enrolled chiropractors having persistent and/or recurrent LBP defined as those currently having LBP that has impacted daily activities for \> 1 month. I
* Alberta resident 18 years of age or older
* Must have a personal smartphone with internet access.
* Must have a working e-mail address.
* Must speak, read, and write English or have regular access to persons who can assist in this regard.

Patient exclusion criteria:

* Patients who have complex back pain that requires direct clinical oversight.
* Patients with cognitive impairments or learning disabilities that limit participation.
* Patients with serious mental illness.
* Patients who have non-LBP illnesses or conditions that are contraindicated to participation in SelfBack (e.g. exercise).
* Patients who have terminal illness
* Patients who are unable to take part in exercise/physical activity.

Study Location

University of Alberta
University of Alberta
Edmonton, Alberta
Canada

Contact Study Team

Primary Contact

Greg Kawchuk, PhD

[email protected]
780-492-6591
Study Sponsored By
University of Alberta
Participants Required
More Information
Study ID: NCT06347991