RecruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

Alberta Chiropractic SelfBack Study

This study, called the Alberta Chiropractic SelfBack Study, is looking at how practical it is for chiropractors in Alberta, Canada, to offer their patients an app called SelfBack. This app provides personalised advice, exercises, and information to help people manage their ongoing low back pain. Many people struggle with long-term back pain, and traditional treatments can sometimes be unhelpful or costly. The SelfBack app aims to be a helpful tool, especially for those without health insurance. This study will help researchers understand any challenges or helpful points in giving out the app through chiropractors. The information gathered will be used to plan a larger study to see how well the app actually works in helping people feel better.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

University of Alberta

Enrolment target

100

Start

24 May 2024

Estimated completion

15 Mar 2026

Chronic Low-back Pain

What is this study about?

Many people in Canada, and indeed around the world, experience ongoing or recurring low back pain. This can be a real challenge, affecting daily life, causing discomfort, and sometimes leading to significant costs. While there are treatments available, many helpful options like exercise and education aren't always covered by public healthcare, especially for those without private health insurance. This often means people might end up with treatments that aren't the best fit for ongoing back pain, like stronger pain medication or X-rays.

This study is looking into a new approach using a special app called SelfBack. This app gives you personalised advice on physical activity, exercises, and general information to help you manage your back pain yourself. It uses clever technology, a bit like artificial intelligence, to tailor the information specifically for you. The main idea is to see if chiropractors in Alberta can easily give this app to their patients who have long-term back pain, and how easy it is for patients to then use it.

By understanding how well this distribution and use works, the researchers can see what helps and what might get in the way. This information will then be used to apply for funding for a much bigger study. That larger study would aim to find out if the SelfBack app is truly effective at helping people with ongoing and recurring low back pain feel better and improve their daily lives.

Key takeaways

Study explores an app (SelfBack) for chronic back pain.
Aims to check if chiropractors can easily distribute the app.
App offers personalised exercise and advice.
Results will help plan a larger study on the app's effectiveness.
Focuses on self-management for ongoing back pain.
Participation requires a smartphone and internet access.

Who may be eligible?

To take part in this study, you would need to be a patient of a chiropractor who is also taking part in the study in Alberta, Canada. You should be 18 years old or older, and currently experiencing low back pain that has affected your daily activities for more than a month. You'll also need to have your own smartphone with internet access and a working email address. It's important that you can speak, read, and write in English, or have someone who can regularly help you with this.

There are some reasons why you wouldn't be able to join. For example, if your back pain is very complicated and needs direct medical care, or if you have certain health conditions that mean exercise might not be suitable for you. This includes serious mental health conditions, cognitive issues that would make it hard to take part, or if you have a terminal illness.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you a patient of a participating chiropractor in Alberta?
Are you 18 years old or older?
Have you had low back pain affecting daily activities for over a month?
Do you have a smartphone with internet and a working email?
Are you able to speak, read, and write in English?
Do you have any serious health conditions that would make exercise unsafe for you?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part, your chiropractor, who will have been trained on the SelfBack app, will provide you with access to it. The app will then collect some information from you and give you personalised advice on exercises and education to help manage your back pain. While the app collects your data, this is done in a way that protects your identity. The study itself runs for about eight months, between May and December 2024. Your chiropractor will also complete a follow-up survey about their experience.

Potential risks and benefits

A potential benefit of taking part is gaining access to a personalised self-management plan through the SelfBack app, which could help you better understand and manage your low back pain. However, as with any exercise or activity, there's always a small chance of minor discomfort or injury, although the app aims to provide safe advice. It's important to remember that you can stop taking part in the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting your usual care.

Locations (1)

University of Alberta
Verified postcode
Edmonton, Canada· Recruiting

Common questions

What is the SelfBack app?

It's an app that gives you personalised advice, exercises, and information to help you manage your ongoing low back pain.

Who is running this study?

This study is called the Alberta Chiropractic SelfBack Study and is being done by researchers in Canada.

Will I get direct medical care from the app?

No, the app is a tool to help you manage your pain yourself, it doesn't replace direct medical advice or treatment from your doctor.

How long will I be involved in the study?

The study runs for about 8 months in total, between May and December 2024. Your individual participation details will be provided by your chiropractor.

What happens to my personal information?

The app collects data from you, but it's done in a way that protects your identity. Your information will be used to understand how well the app works.

How to find out more

Greg Kawchuk, PhD

greg.kawchuk@ualberta.ca 780-492-6891 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.