The WALKBACK trial is a research initiative aimed at preventing recurrences of low back pain by determining if a progressive, individualised walking and education program is more effective compared to usual care. The trial focuses on people who have recently recovered from an episode of non-specific low back pain. 

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Participants in the trial will be randomly allocated to one of two groups: 

1. The intervention group will receive a walking and advice program delivered by a physiotherapist. This includes three face-to-face or video conferencing sessions and three over-the-phone consultations, all provided at no cost. 

2. The control group will receive usual care, which does not involve any specific intervention as part of the trial. 

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The primary aim of the trial is to evaluate whether the walking and education program can effectively prevent the recurrence of low back pain. The trial will measure outcomes such as the number of days until participants experience a recurrence of low back pain that impacts daily activities or requires care from a healthcare provider. Secondary outcomes include health-related quality of life, patient-reported experiences, pain, health costs, healthcare utilisation, medication use, adverse events, emergency department representations, and surgery. 

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The WALKBACK trial is currently recruiting participants. You may be eligible to participate in this study if you live in Australia and have had an episode of low back pain in the last six months. 

 

Principal Investigator: Professor Mark Hancock

 

Institute for Musculoskeletal Health ​Investigators: Professor Jane Latimer, Professor Chris Lin, Professor Chris Maher, Associate Professor Anne Tiedemann

 

Contact or further information:

For more information on this Macquarie University Trial, visit here..

 

This NHMRC funded project has received ethics approval from Macquarie University Human Research Ethics Committee. Trial registered on ANZCTR: ACTRN12619001134112