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Contact Information:

Dr Cynthia Srikesavan
+44 1392 722370
c.srikesavan2@exeter.ac.uk


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Be Part of Research - Trial Details - Getting an education and exercise programme for older adults with neurogenic claudication (the BOOST programme) into clinical practice: a research study.
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Getting an education and exercise programme for older adults with neurogenic claudication (the BOOST programme) into clinical practice: a research study.

Not Recruiting

Open to: All Genders

Age: Adult

Oxford Leeds Newport Birmingham Leeds

Medical Conditions

Symptomatic lumbar spinal stenosis

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.


A recent randomised controlled trial found the BOOST programme significantly improved walking ability and reduced falls risk at 12 months in people with symptomatic lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS). Spinal stenosis happens when the space inside the backbone is too small. This can put pressure on the spinal cord and nerves that travel through the spine. The programme consisted of an individual session and 12 group-based sessions of education and exercise. Before widespread implementation of the BOOST programme, we want to optimise it to achieve maximum effectiveness on clinical outcomes and uptake by healthcare providers. We have formed a ‘community of practice’ with patients and health professionals to provide feedback on the original programme and to iteratively coproduce content for optimisation.

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:

08 Aug 2022 30 Jun 2023

This protocol describes two sequential observational studies with embedded interview studies. The first study aims to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of the optimised BOOST programme. To do this, we will collect data from patients before they start the optimised BOOST programme and in six months’ time. We will measure pain-related disability, quality of life, walking capacity, and satisfaction. We will interview the health professionals delivering the optimised programme to understand their experiences. Data from the first study will inform the wider implementation in stage two.
In stage two, we will develop a digital resource to provide health professionals with knowledge, skills, and tools to implement the BOOST programme. We will evaluate learning and implementation outcomes to ensure the digital resource is effective. For a subset of health professionals delivering BOOST to patients, we will collect the same patient data (pain-related disability, quality of life, walking capacity, and satisfaction) at baseline and six months. Health professionals, or level four exercise therapists, treating people with LSS can take part in the digital resource evaluation. Patients taking part in the clinical evaluation will have been referred for NHS physiotherapy and have symptoms of LSS. The BOOST programme can be delivered in an NHS or community setting, in partnership with an NHS Trust.


Patients aged 65 years or older, with symptomatic LSS, and health professionals and exercise therapists aged 21 years or older, providing treatment for symptomatic LSS.

You can take part if:



You may not be able to take part if:


Patient participants: 1. Nursing home resident.2. Inability to walk 3 meters independently.3. Awaiting surgery.4. Cauda equina syndrome or signs of serious pathology.5. Cognitive impairment (defined as a score of 6 or lower on the Abbreviated Mental Test score.)6. Registered blind.7. Unable to follow instructions in a group setting.

Therapist participants: Not meeting the inclusion criteria.


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

  • Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
    John Radcliffe Hospital Headley Way Headington
    Oxford
    OX3 9DU
  • Leeds Community Healthcare NHS Trust
    Stockdale House 8 Victoria Road
    Leeds
    LS6 1PF
  • Aneurin Bevan University Health Board
    Lodge Road Caerleon
    Newport
    NP18 3XQ
  • Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
    3 Priestley Wharf Holt Street Birmingham Science Park, Aston
    Birmingham
    B7 4BN
  • Active Leeds
    Leeds City Council John Charles Centre for Sport Middleton Grove
    Leeds
    LS11 5DJ

The advice, information, and exercises received as part of the BOOST programme may help patients back and leg symptoms. In the multi-centre trial that evaluated the BOOST programme, patients significantly improved their waking capacity and physical function, and reduced their falls risk by 40% compared to usual care.
Patients are unlikely to be harmed by the BOOST programme. The therapist will have assessed the patient to make sure that the exercises are at the right level for them. However, participants may experience normal muscle soreness after completing some of the exercises. This is expected and the therapist will provide participants with advice on how to manage this.

Dr Cynthia Srikesavan
+44 1392 722370
c.srikesavan2@exeter.ac.uk



The study is sponsored by University of Exeter and funded by NIHR Central Commissioning Facility (CCF).



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Read full details for Trial ID: ISRCTN14563684

Or CPMS 53283

Last updated 09 June 2025

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