Comparing In-Person and Virtual Lifestyle-Focused Pain Care for Rural Adults
Compares in-person and virtual lifestyle-focused care for adults with chronic back, knee or hip pain.
Plain-language title generated from the registry record
Registry title: Integrated Healthy Lifestyle and Pain Care for People With Musculoskeletal Conditions Living in Rural Areas.
Key facts
- Where
- Coffs Harbour and Lismore, AustraliaSee the 3 sites
Where in Australia
- Mid North Coast Local Health DistrictCoffs Harbour, AustraliaTaking people
- Northern NSW Local Health DistrictLismore, AustraliaTaking people
- University Centre for Rural Health, University of SydneyLismore, AustraliaNot yet recruiting
Questions to ask the study team
- How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
- Are travel costs paid?
- Can I keep my own doctor?
- What happens if I want to stop?
Trial details
- Who runs it
- University of Sydney
- Trial code
- NCT07173335
- Record updated
- 18 September 2026
- Original description
This study aims to compare the effects of an in-person physiotherapist-led lifestyle-focused pain care intervention with a virtual multidisciplinary lifestyle-focused pain care intervention on pain impact in people with musculoskeletal conditions and lifestyle risks.Read full original descriptionShow less
Comparison of In-person and Virtual Delivery of Healthy Lifestyle Focused Care for People With Chronic Musculoskeletal Conditions Living in Rural Areas: a Non-interiority Randomised Trial.
This study aims to compare the effects of an in-person physiotherapist-led lifestyle-focused pain care intervention with a virtual multidisciplinary lifestyle-focused pain care intervention on pain impact in people with musculoskeletal conditions and lifestyle risks.
Adults residing in rural and regional locations in New South Wales (AUS) with musculoskeletal conditions (low back, knee or hip pain) recruited from hospital outpatient services (physiotherapy, emergency or orthopaedics) or in response to social media advertisements. Eligible consenting participants will be randomised in a 1:1 ratio to receive either in-person physiotherapy lifestyle intervention or the virtual enabled multidisciplinary intervention. Randomisation will be conducted using an electronic central randomisation service to ensure concealment of treatment allocation.
Participants in both arms (in-person and virtual care) will have up to 10 consultations over six months and follow similar principles based on the previous Healthy Lifestyle for Pain (HeLP) intervention, but differ in their mode of delivery and access to multidisciplinary care.
Participant data will be collected at baseline and weeks 12, 26, 39 and 52. The primary outcome will be Pain Impact measured using the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS-29). The secondary outcomes will include participant's health behaviors and mediating outcomes, economic outcomes, process outcomes and adverse events.
Inclusion: Age 18 years and over, with one or more of the following chronic musculoskeletal conditions (pain or disability due to knee or hip, or non-specific low back pain) present for more than three months; Average pain intensity over the last week of 3 or more on a 11-point numerical rating scale OR pain interference of at least 'somewhat' (3 out 5) on item 27 of the PROMIS 29; At least one of the following lifestyle risk factors: Body Mass Index of greater than 25kg/m2, less than 30mins of physical activity on five or more days of the week, current smoker or vaper, consumes less than two serves of fruits or five serves of vegetables per day, drinks more than 10 standard drinks in a week, or more than 4 standard drinks on any one day, or 'poor' or 'very poor' sleep quality for item 6 of the Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index.
Exclusion: Receiving healthcare for ALL eligible lifestyle risks; Had bariatric surgery in the last 12 months or have planned bariatric surgery in the next 6 months; Have planned orthopaedic surgery in the next 6 months; Pain due to suspected serious cause, (e.g spinal infection, cancers, fracture, systemic rheumatic disease, cauda equina syndrome, diagnosis of radiculopathy); Cannot actively or safely engage in the intervention or study procedures due to a medical comorbidity or constraint (e.g. impaired cognition, unable to use telehealth services, attend appointments, or adapt meals or activity); Pregnant or planning pregnancy in the next 6 months.