Back pain patients in new Leeds-based physiotherapy trial
People in Leeds with a severe form of back pain are to take part in a new clinical trial to be run in the city to find out if six weeks of physiotherapy and exercise can relieve their agony.
More than 70 people over the age of 50 who have a type of back pain called neurogenic claudication are to be recruited onto the trial run by a team based at Leeds Primary Care Musculoskeletal Service and funded by an £87,000 two-year grant from the Arthritis Research Campaign.
Neurogenic claudication occurs when pressure is put on the spinal cord as a result of disc degeneration or a slipped disc, and can lead to extreme pain, particularly when walking. It can be relieved by sitting or bending forward, and is similar to sciatica.
“Because we have an ageing population this condition is becoming more prevalent. Also diagnosis is now better than it used to be and we are more aware of it,” explained Christine Comer, an extended scope physiotherapist at the musculoskeletal service, who is running the study with Professor Philip Conaghan from the University of Leeds’ Academic Unit of Musculoskeletal Disease.
Although it is recognised that physiotherapy is helpful in relieving the symptoms of back pain, there is little evidence to show which specific types of exercise or therapy are the most effective. The Leeds researchers hope their study will establish that a tailored package of exercises comprising flexion exercises, (bending forward) aerobic exercise, muscle strengthening and stretching, can help relieve this particular form of back pain.
The Leeds back pain patients will be split into two groups. The first will be given the exercise programme by physiotherapists, which they will perform twice a day for six weeks. Both groups will be given advice on staying active. Outcomes will be measured two weeks and then 12 months after completion of the trial.
“This trial is designed specifically to encourage pain-free posture while walking and standing, and represents a real chance to assess the benefits of the best physiotherapy treatment programme for our patients, who otherwise face significant pain and disability, or possible surgery,” added Ms Comer.
The Leeds Musculoskeletal Service is a city-wide primary care-run service which sees around 28,000 GP referrals each year. Almost one third of referrals are for spinal problems.
The Arthritis Research Campaign is the fourth-largest medical research charity in the UK and receives more than £30m in public donations each year. The charity, whose headquarters are in Chesterfield, Derbyshire, currently funds £2.5m of research in Leeds.
