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Purpose Despite the growing evidence that physical activity and familial factors play a role in low back pain (LBP), there is a lack of robust longitudinal studies that (1) investigate the types and dosages of physical activity that are protective or harmful for LBP, (2) employ objective measures of physical activity and (3) conduct appropriate adjustment for confounders. The AUstralian Twin BACK (AUTBACK) study was established to elucidate the longitudinal LBP–physical activity relationship with the benefits of controlling for familial (both genetic/nongenetic) factors that may influence physical activity engagement and LBP. Participants Participants are twins registered at Twins Research Australia (TRA), older than 18 years, with access to internet. We collected data on LBP status (weekly) and physical activity levels (monthly) for 12 months as well as a wide range of health, lifestyle and physical activity (objective, self-reported, including different types and dosages) data. Findings to date We included 401 twins, 157 being complete twin pairs (n=314). Lifetime prevalence of LBP was 85%. Participants spent 61% of their week in sedentary time and only 4% in moderate/vigorous intensity physical activity (accelerometer). So far, 168 participants (40% of the sample) have completed the 12-month follow-up. A total of 7150 weekly (LBP status) and 1763 monthly questionnaires (physical activity status) have been answered (92% response rate). Future plans The 12-month follow-up will be completed by June 2020. This cohort represents a novel and comprehensive resource for researchers in the field, and includes high-quality, and frequent data on LBP and physical activity. It allows the investigation of genetic and shared environmental factors on the LBP–physical activity relationship. The AUTBACK group has planned a number of projects, with the main one being the investigation of the influence of physical activity on recurrence of LBP. Data linkage opportunities are available, including with other studies conducted by TRA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Background: One model of care that has not been tested for chronic low back pain (LBP) is patient-led goal setting. We aimed to compare the clinical effectiveness and healthcare use of a patient-led goal setting approach (intervention) with simple advice to exercise (control) over 12 months.Methods: An assessor-blinded randomised controlled trial. Intervention was education combined with patient-led goal setting compared with a control group receiving a standardised exercise programme. The primary outcomes were back pain disability and pain intensity. Secondary outcomes were quality of life, kinesiophobia, self-efficacy, depression, anxiety and stress. Outcomes and healthcare use were assessed immediately post-treatment (2 months) and after 4 and 12 months. Analysis was by intention to treat.Results: Seventy-five patients were randomly assigned to either the intervention (n=37) or the control (n=38) group. Using linear mixed model analyses, adjusted mean changes in primary outcomes of disability and pain intensity were greater in the intervention group than in the control group (disability post-treatment: p<0.05). These differences were clinically meaningful. Mean differences in all secondary measures were greater in the intervention group than in the control group (p<0.05). There was no difference in healthcare use between groups over 12 months.Conclusion: A patient-led goal setting intervention was significantly more effective than advice to exercise for improving outcomes in disability, pain intensity, quality of life, self-efficacy and kinesiophobia in chronic LBP. These improvements were maintained at 12 months. Smaller effects were seen in measures of depression, anxiety and stress.Trial Registration Number: ACTRN12614000830695. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Introduction: Around 40% of people presenting to primary care with an episode of acute low back pain develop chronic low back pain. In order to reduce the risk of developing chronic low back pain, effective secondary prevention strategies are needed. Early identification of at-risk patients allows clinicians to make informed decisions based on prognostic profile, and researchers to select appropriate participants for secondary prevention trials. The aim of this study is to develop and validate a prognostic screening tool that identifies patients with acute low back pain in primary care who are at risk of developing chronic low back pain. This paper describes the methods and analysis plan for the development and validation of the tool. Methods/analysis: The prognostic screening tool will be developed using methods recommended by the Prognosis Research Strategy (PROGRESS) Group and reported using the Transparent Reporting of a multivariable prediction model for Individual Prognosis Or Diagnosis (TRIPOD) statement. In the development stage, we will use data from 1248 patients recruited for a prospective cohort study of acute low back pain in primary care. We will construct 3 logistic regression models to predict chronic low back pain according to 3 definitions: any pain, high pain and disability at 3 months. In the validation stage, we will use data from a separate sample of 1643 patients with acute low back pain to assess the performance of each prognostic model. We will produce validation plots showing Nagelkerke R² and Brier score (overall performance), area under the curve statistic (discrimination) and the calibration slope and intercept (calibration). Ethics and dissemination: Ethical approval from the University of Sydney Ethics Committee was obtained for both of the original studies that we plan to analyse using the methods outlined in this protocol (Henschke et al, ref 11-2002/3/3144; Williams et al, ref 11638). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Introduction: Low back pain (LBP) is the leading cause of disability worldwide. Of those patients who present to primary care with acute LBP, 40% continue to report symptoms 3 months later and develop chronic LBP. Although it is possible to identify these patients early, effective interventions to improve their outcomes are not available. This double-blind (participant/outcome assessor) randomised controlled trial will investigate the efficacy of a brief educational approach to prevent chronic LBP in 'at-risk' individuals. Methods/analysis: Participants will be recruited from primary care practices in the Sydney metropolitan area. To be eligible for inclusion participants will be aged 18-75 years, with acute LBP (<4 weeks' duration) preceded by at least a 1 month pain-free period and at-risk of developing chronic LBP. Potential participants with chronic spinal pain and those with suspected serious spinal pathology will be excluded. Eligible participants who agree to take part will be randomly allocated to receive 2x1 h sessions of pain biology education or 2x1 h sessions of sham education from a specially trained study physiotherapist. The study requires 101 participants per group to detect a 1-point difference in pain intensity 3 months after pain onset. Secondary outcomes include the incidence of chronic LBP, disability, pain intensity, depression, healthcare utilisation, pain attitudes and beliefs, global recovery and recurrence and are measured at 1 week post-intervention, and at 3, 6 and 12 months post LBP onset. Ethics/dissemination: Ethical approval was obtained from the University of New South Wales Human Ethics Committee in June 2013 (ref number HC12664). Outcomes will be disseminated through publication in peer-reviewed journals and presentations at international conference meetings. Trial registration number: https://www.anzctr.org.au/ Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx? ACTRN=12612001180808 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

The article discusses several studies on the effectiveness of neuromuscular training to prevent sports injuries in athletes. The studies are recognized for considering key criteria of internal validity and risk of bias, such as randomization, allocation concealment and training compliance. The results of the studies are highlighted, including the findings that neuromuscular training programmes can reduce the risk of injuries by 32 to 38 percent. more...