OSCAR (Osteopathic Single CAse Research) – Assessing the effect of standard and biopsychosocial osteopathic management for patients with non-specific low back pain: Protocol for a Single Case Experimental Design (SCED)

Background

Osteopathy has been shown to be effective in the management of chronic low back pain (LBP). Guidelines recommend biopsychosocial care for chronic, complex musculoskeletal conditions, including non-specific LBP.

Objectives

This study has four aims: 1/to assess how patients with LBP improve after osteopathic treatment, both before and after an osteopath has completed a Biopsychosocial Pain Management course; 2/to assess if it is feasible and acceptable for osteopaths to receive weekly SCED data and use it to guide patient management; 3/to assess if it is acceptable for patients to submit daily data and discuss weekly summary with their osteopaths; and 4/to test feasibility for researchers in collecting, managing and storing large quantities of individual patient data.

Methods

A multiple baseline single case experimental design trial with up to 10 UK osteopaths with more than 15 years in practice and 60 patients will assess how change occurs as a result of osteopathic treatment for patients with non-specific LBP of more than 12 weeks’ duration. Statistical analysis will assess the degree and rate of change between baseline, intervention and follow-up periods, and whether differences in effect are observed after the osteopaths have completed the biopsychosocial patient management training course. Primary outcomes will be the Numeric Pain Rating and Patient Specific Function Scales, measured daily at baseline and for 6 weeks during the intervention stage, and weekly or fortnightly during a 12-week follow-up period.

Ethics

This research was approved by the University College of Osteopathy Research Ethics Committee.