International Journal of Osteopathic Medicine, 2005/03, 8(1):5-11. doi: 10.1016/j.ijosm.2004.08.001, type of study: ,rct,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Full text    (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1746068905000027)

Keywords:

chronic pain [323]
low back pain [523]
OMT [3924]
osteopathic manipulative treatment [3945]
pilot study [215]
randomized controlled trial [947]

Abstract:

Introduction: Osteopaths commonly treat back pain. Evidence of effectiveness is limited. We describe a feasibility study for a pragmatic randomised controlled trial of an osteopathic approach for treating patients with chronic low back pain. Method: We recruited participants with chronic low back pain from one general practice. Those randomised to treatment received up to eight treatments, the control participants received usual care from their general practice. The primary outcome measure was the Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire. Follow up was by postal questionnaire 3 and 6 months after randomisation. Results: We approached 15 patients; of which nine were recruited to the study. We recruited two participants for each 1000 registered patients at our pilot practice. Participant feedback from those randomised to treatment was positive; all of them reported some benefit from the treatment. Follow up rates were poor (30% at 3 months). Discussion: Despite some practical difficulties administering the study at a general practice level, we have shown that recruitment adequate to achieve good statistical power for such a trial is feasible. We estimate that 1.7 participants with appropriate inclusion criteria per 1000 registered patients from each general practice could be recruited into the trial. Thus, recruiting from 20e30 general practices should provide 200 recruits for a randomised controlled trial. The intervention was reported as being of benefit. Conclusion: A randomised controlled trial comparing an osteopathic approach to the management of chronic simple back pain to usual general practice care is feasible with the collaboration of two Primary Care Trusts.