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Contact Information:

Prof Stephen Preece
-
S.Preece@salford.ac.uk


Mr Nathan Brookes
-
n.brookes1@salford.ac.uk


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Be Part of Research - Trial Details - Cognitive Muscular Therapy - developing a training programme for physiotherapists
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Cognitive Muscular Therapy - developing a training programme for physiotherapists

Not Recruiting

Open to: All Genders

Age: Adult

Salford Manchester

Medical Conditions

Low back pain

This information is provided directly by researchers, and we recognise that it isn't always easy to understand. We are working with researchers to improve the accessibility of this information. In some summaries, you may come across links to external websites. These websites will have more information to help you better understand the study.


Low back pain (LBP) affects many people globally and causes more disability than any other condition. It limits daily activities and causes pain. Additionally, it puts a heavy financial burden on individuals, families, communities, and industry.
People with LBP tend to use their trunk muscles differently during everyday tasks. For example, they might overuse certain muscles during walking or standing. This altered muscle activity might be the body’s way of protecting injured structures after injury, however, it becomes problematic when maintained long term.
Interestingly, research has demonstrated a link between how people think about their pain and their muscle activity. Negative thoughts such as being concerned about pain means your body is damaged can lead to increased muscle tension. As such, we need treatments that address both physical and psychological aspects of LBP.
As such, researchers at the University of Salford have developed a new physiotherapy approach called Cognitive Muscular Therapy (CMT). CMT helps patients understand how their thoughts affect their muscular responses. In a pilot study, CMT reduced disability by 77% in patients with long-term persistent low back pain.
The University of Salford has received further funding to test CMT for LBP in the NHS. The aim of the first part of the study is to produce a training course suitable for NHS physiotherapists. This training course will be used to train physiotherapists up for a larger study.

Start dates may differ between countries and research sites. The research team are responsible for keeping the information up-to-date.  

The recruitment start and end dates are as follows:

01 Jul 2024 01 Nov 2024

If participants agree to take part, the research team will need their personal information (name, date of birth, address, email, height, and weight) for eligibility and contact purposes. Only the lead researcher and research coordinator will have access to this information, stored securely. Participants will then complete questionnaires about their symptoms, daily life impact, and thoughts about pain. At this stage, they’ll be offered the opportunity to take part in a training course for physiotherapists where they’ll be paid £25/hour (this is an optional part of the study).
All participants will visit the University of Salford seven times (one week apart). The research team will measure their weight, height, and posture in the first session. Then, they’ll receive Cognitive Muscular Therapy (CMT) over seven face-to-face sessions. Their physiotherapist will explain how changing muscular reactions and thoughts can reduce tension and improve pain. They’ll learn to consciously relax stomach and low back muscles during daily activities. Videos and instructional materials will guide them in the sessions and at home.
At each session, researchers will watch the physiotherapist deliver treatment. Videos of treatment sessions may be taken (participants can opt out). If taken, they can be reviewed and participants can request edits or deletion. If participants consent to the use of the videos, they will be paid ÂŁ100. The videos will then be anonymised and used in a future training course for physiotherapists.


People aged 18-100 years who have had low back pain for more than 3 months

You can take part if:



You may not be able to take part if:


1. Diagnosis of inflammatory arthritis 2. LBP due to pregnancy and up to 12 months post pregnancy 3. Previous spinal surgery such as discectomy, anterior cervical discectomy and fusion, disc replacement, laminectomy and scoliosis fixation4. Diagnosis of degenerative neurological disorders (e.g. multiple sclerosis/Parkinson’s disease)5. BMI of more than 33 (as increased subcutaneous fat prevents the collection of surface EMG signals)6. Pending litigation related to an injury, for example, at work or whilst driving7. Vulnerable patients, for example, those who lack the mental capacity to make decisions, have dementia or are nearing the end of life


Below are the locations for where you can take part in the trial. Please note that not all sites may be open.

  • Salford Royal Hospital
    Stott Lane Eccles
    Salford
    M6 8HD
  • The University of Salford
    Room PO34 The Brian Blatchford Building
    Manchester
    M6 6PU

Participants will receive seven sessions of CMT and this may reduce their back pain. However, we can’t promise that everyone will experience clear benefits. The results of the study will help us to understand how to design a future training course for physiotherapists and therefore help people with low back pain.
This is a very simple, straightforward study with minimal risks. The physiotherapist will be using techniques which are used in routine NHS practice, and these will be complemented with muscle biofeedback sensors. There is a small risk of an allergic reaction to the adhesive stickers used during muscle biofeedback. If this occurs, treatment with the muscle biofeedback will be discontinued. Participants may continue in the study, but the physiotherapist will stop using the muscle biofeedback.

Prof Stephen Preece
-
S.Preece@salford.ac.uk


Mr Nathan Brookes
-
n.brookes1@salford.ac.uk



The study is sponsored by University of Salford and funded by NIHR Central Commissioning Facility (CCF); Grant Codes: NIHR206212.



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Read full details for Trial ID: ISRCTN31860277

Or CPMS 61590

Last updated 08 November 2024

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