Effect of diagnostic labelling on management intentions for non-specific low back pain: A randomized scenario-based experiment.

Background: Diagnostic labels may influence treatment intentions. We examined the effect of labelling low back pain (LBP) on beliefs about imaging, surgery, second opinion, seriousness, recovery, work, and physical activities.

Methods: Six-arm online randomized experiment with blinded participants with and without LBP.

Low back pain presentations to New South Wales emergency departments: Trends over time and geographical variation.

Objective: To determine whether rates of ED presentations because of low back pain (LBP) have increased from 2016 to 2019 in New South Wales and map the geographical distribution of ED presentations because of LBP across New South Wales.

Methods: We sourced data from the New South Wales Emergency Department Records for Epidemiology. We included all ED presentations aged 15 years and older with a diagnosis of LBP to the 178 public EDs across New South Wales from 1 January 2016 to 31 December 2019.

The RESOLVE Trial for people with chronic low back pain: statistical analysis plan.

Background: Statistical analysis plans describe the planned data management and analysis for clinical trials. This supports transparent reporting and interpretation of clinical trial results. This paper reports the statistical analysis plan for the RESOLVE clinical trial.

Beyond intention to treat: what is the right question?

Background: Most methodologists recommend intention-to-treat (ITT) analysis in order to minimize bias. Although ITT analysis provides an unbiased estimate for the effect of treatment assignment on the outcome, the estimate is biased for the actual effect of receiving treatment (active treatment) compared to some comparison group (control). Other common analyses include measuring effects in (1) participants who follow their assigned treatment (Per Protocol), (2) participants according to treatment received (As Treated), and (3) those who would comply with recommended treatment (Complier Average Causal Effect (CACE) as estimated by Principal Stratification or Instrumental Variable Analyses).

The effectiveness of the McKenzie method in addition to first-line care for acute low back pain: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Low back pain is a highly prevalent and disabling condition worldwide. Clinical guidelines for the management of patients with acute low back pain recommend first-line treatment consisting of advice, reassurance and simple analgesics. Exercise is also commonly prescribed to these patients.

Can rate of recovery be predicted in patients with acute low back pain? Development of a clinical prediction rule.

Some patients with low back pain recover quickly while others continue to experience pain beyond 3 months. The primary aim of this study was to develop a simple prediction rule to help clinicians identify patients with acute low back pain likely to recover at different rates. The secondary aim was to compare a clinician's prognosis judgement to the prediction rule.

Patient and clinician treatment preferences do not moderate the effect of exercise treatment in chronic whiplash-associated disorders.

An issue that arises when selecting therapy is whether patient or clinician preferences for treatment moderate the effect of treatment. To evaluate this question we conducted a secondary analysis of the results of a randomized controlled trial of exercise treatment of chronic whiplash. Immediately prior to randomization, treatment preference ratings were collected from each patient and from the physiotherapist who assessed each patient.

Modified constraint-induced therapy for children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy: a feasibility study.

Purpose: To determine the feasibility of family-focused, modified constraint-induced therapy with children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy and test study procedures in preparation for a randomized controlled trail.

Design: Prospective pre-post feasibility study.

Methods And Procedures: Ten children (median age: 3 years 6 months) were assessed at baseline, at completion of intervention and at 6 months post-baseline.

Management of chronic knee pain.

Acupuncture has no additional benefit in people taking a course of exercise

Current practice in the diagnosis and treatment of carpal instability--results of a survey of Australian hand therapists.

A postal survey of all 85 full Australian Hand Therapy Association (AHTA) members was carried out to determine the current practice of the diagnosis and treatment of carpal instability by AHTA members. There was an 87% return rate. On average therapists saw 3.

Efficacy of manipulation for non-specific neck pain of recent onset: design of a randomised controlled trial.

Background: Manipulation is a common treatment for non-specific neck pain. Neck manipulation, unlike gentler forms of manual therapy such as mobilisation, is associated with a small risk of serious neurovascular injury and can result in stroke or death. It is thought however, that neck manipulation provides better results than mobilisation where clinically indicated.

Randomized controlled trial of exercise for chronic whiplash-associated disorders.

Whiplash-associated disorders are common and incur considerable expense in social and economic terms. There are no known effective treatments for those people whose pain and disability persist beyond 3 months. We conducted a randomized, assessor-blinded, controlled trial at two centres in Australia.

The Cumberland ankle instability tool: a report of validity and reliability testing.

Objective: To test the Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool (CAIT), a 9-item 30-point scale, for measuring severity of functional ankle instability.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Setting: General community.

The McKenzie Method for the management of acute non-specific low back pain: design of a randomised controlled trial [ACTRN012605000032651].

Background: Low back pain (LBP) is a major health problem. Effective treatment of acute LBP is important because it prevents patients from developing chronic LBP, the stage of LBP that requires costly and more complex treatment. Physiotherapists commonly use a system of diagnosis and exercise prescription called the McKenzie Method to manage patients with LBP.

Advice or exercise for chronic whiplash disorders? Design of a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Whiplash-associated disorder (or "whiplash") is a common condition incurring considerable expense in social and economic terms. A lack of research on effective therapy for patients with chronic whiplash associated disorders prompted the design of the current study. The primary aim of this randomised controlled trial is to determine the effects of a physical activity program for people with chronic (symptoms of > 3 months duration) whiplash.