RecruitingOBSERVATIONAL

Quebec Low Back Pain Study: Core Dataset

This research wants to understand why some people's back pain goes away, while for others, it lasts a long time. Back pain is a huge problem worldwide, and current treatments don't always work or can have unwanted side effects, like those linked to opioid use. Experts from various fields have teamed up to tackle this challenge. They will follow adults living in Quebec with new or long-lasting low back pain for two years, using an online tool. During this time, other smaller projects will investigate specific risk factors like genetics, diet, and physical activity. The goal is to better understand what influences back pain so that better ways can be found to help people at an earlier stage, stop pain from getting worse, and even prevent it.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Sponsor

Laval University

Enrolment target

10,000

Start

01 Nov 2018

Estimated completion

31 Dec 2026

Low Back Pain

What is this study about?

Imagine feeling a pain in your lower back. For some people, this pain quickly fades away, and they can get back to their normal activities. For others, the pain sticks around for months or even years. Doctors and scientists don't fully understand why this happens, which makes it harder to find effective treatments that really work.

This study, called the Quebec Low Back Pain Study, aims to change that. It brings together a group of experts from different areas of science to try and figure out exactly what causes some people's back pain to become long-term. They believe that by carefully watching how back pain develops in a large number of people over time, they can uncover important clues. The information they collect will help them understand how your body, your genes, your lifestyle, and even your thoughts and feelings might play a role in how your back pain progresses.

The main idea is to build an online system where adults with new or long-lasting back pain can share information about their condition. Over two years, researchers will track how people's pain changes. This information will then be used to help develop new ways to diagnose back pain earlier, stop it from becoming a long-term problem, and ultimately improve how back pain is managed across the province of Quebec and beyond.

Key takeaways

The study aims to understand why some back pain becomes long-lasting.
It involves adults in Quebec with new or ongoing low back pain.
You'll provide information online over a two-year period.
No new treatments are given; you continue your usual care.
Your participation can help future understanding and treatment of back pain.

Who may be eligible?

To join this study, you need to be at least 18 years old. You must also have access to the internet, as the study will collect information online. It's important that you can speak and understand either English or French.

Most importantly, you need to be currently experiencing low back pain. To figure this out, the study asks two specific questions: "In the past 4 weeks, have you had pain in your low back?" and "If yes, was this pain bad enough to limit your usual activities or change your daily routine for more than one day?" You would need to answer "yes" to both of these questions.

Good news – there are no specific reasons that would automatically stop you from taking part in this study, as long as you meet the basic requirements mentioned above.

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 18 years old or older?
Do you have access to the internet?
Can you speak and understand English or French?
Have you had low back pain in the past 4 weeks?
Did this pain limit your activities for more than one day?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part, you will be asked to share information about your low back pain using an online platform. This will happen at the beginning of the study, and then again after 3, 6, 12, and 24 months. You will be asked questions about your pain, how it affects your daily life, your mood, and your overall quality of life. The study might also look at information that is already collected about your healthcare use.

There are no specific medications or treatments provided as part of this study. You will continue with your usual medical care for your back pain. The total duration of your involvement in the study will be two years.

Potential risks and benefits

A potential benefit of joining this study is contributing to important research that could help improve the understanding and treatment of low back pain for many people in the future. You might also gain a better understanding of your own back pain journey by regularly answering questions about it. The main risks are likely small and relate to the time commitment for filling out online questionnaires and any potential discomfort in thinking about your pain experiences. You are free to withdraw from the study at any time without giving a reason, and this will not affect your current or future medical care.

Locations (1)

McGill University
Verified postcode
Montreal, Canada· Recruiting

Common questions

What exactly is 'low back pain' for this study?

For this study, low back pain means pain in your lower back within the last 4 weeks that was severe enough to limit your usual activities or change your daily routine for more than one day.

Do I need to live in Quebec to join?

Yes, this study is specifically recruiting individuals with low back pain from across the province of Quebec.

Will I receive any new treatment for my back pain in this study?

No, this study is about understanding back pain, not testing new treatments. You will continue to receive your usual medical care.

How much of my time will this study take?

You will need to complete online questionnaires at the start of the study, and then at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months. Each questionnaire session will take some time, but the exact duration isn't specified.

What happens to my personal information?

The study aims to protect your privacy. Your information will be used for research purposes to understand back pain better, and researchers will take steps to keep your details confidential.

How to find out more

Jean-Sebastien Roy, PhD, PT

jean-sebastien.roy@fmed.ulaval.ca 1-418-529-9141 Official trial record

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