This is a demonstration project which proposes to evaluate a new generation low back pain patient education program. Patients will be randomized either to the treatment group and followed for 6, 12, 18, and 24 months with the intervention, and then no intervention for 12 months for a control group which consists of usual care with a subscription incentive for 24 months, and then the intervention for 12 months from 24 to 36 months post-study enrollment. The intervention consists of a book and a videotape and is based on interaction with other participants in the program and health professionals through a closed password protected moderated Internet discussion group. Patients with low back pain will be recruited from Silcon Valley Employers and through the Internet, and the assessments will also be conducted through the Internet. Main outcomes will focus on pain, activity limitation, and health care utilization. Process studies will also be conducted to determine patients' use (quality and content) of the computerized intervention, patient satisfaction with the intervention delivery methods, and the quality and quantity of data collected on line compared to the data collected through postal questionnaires. This study is being coordinated with four other low back pain intervention studies that are currently being proposed or conducted at Group Health Cooperative Puget Sound, Indiana University of Multipurpose Arthritis and Muscular Disease Center and Department of Family Medicine at Stanford.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01AR044939-02
Application #
2871620
Study Section
VA Health Services Research and Development Scientific Merit Review Board (HSRD)
Program Officer
Panagis, James S
Project Start
1998-02-04
Project End
2002-01-31
Budget Start
1999-02-01
Budget End
2000-01-31
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
1999
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Stanford University
Department
Internal Medicine/Medicine
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
800771545
City
Stanford
State
CA
Country
United States
Zip Code
94305
Bruce, Bonnie; Lorig, Kate; Laurent, Diana et al. (2005) The impact of a moderated e-mail discussion group on use of complementary and alternative therapies in subjects with recurrent back pain. Patient Educ Couns 58:305-11
Lorig, Kate R; Laurent, Diana D; Deyo, Richard A et al. (2002) Can a Back Pain E-mail Discussion Group improve health status and lower health care costs?: A randomized study. Arch Intern Med 162:792-6