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
AI summary: who the study is looking for
From the trial's eligibility criteria. Machine-read from the registry text on this page, so it can be wrong. The registry text below and the trial team decide who can take part.
The trial is looking for adults in rural New South Wales with long-lasting knee, hip or low back pain and at least one lifestyle risk. It compares in-person and virtual lifestyle and pain care.
- Age
- 18 years and over
- Sex
- All sexes can join.
- Disease stage
- Knee, hip or non-specific low back pain or disability for more than 3 months. Average pain of 3 or more on an 11-point scale over the last week, or pain interference of at least 'somewhat' (3 out of 5).
- Earlier treatment
- People already getting healthcare for ALL of their lifestyle risks cannot join. No bariatric surgery in the last 12 months or planned in the next 6 months.
- Biomarker or test result
- At least one lifestyle risk: Body Mass Index over 25kg/m2, little physical activity, smoking or vaping, low fruit and vegetable intake, high alcohol intake, or poor or very poor sleep.
Main reasons for not taking part
- Planned orthopaedic surgery in the next 6 months
- Cannot safely take part because of a medical condition (for example impaired cognition or unable to use telehealth)
- Pain from a suspected serious cause (for example spinal infection, cancer, fracture, systemic rheumatic disease, cauda equina syndrome, radiculopathy)
- Pregnant or planning pregnancy in the next 6 months
- Bariatric surgery in the last 12 months or planned in the next 6 months
Read by machine on 12 November 2026.
Where in Australia
- Mid North Coast Local Health DistrictCoffs Harbour, AustraliaContact: Lisa Abraham, Master of Clinical PsychologyTaking people
- Northern NSW Local Health DistrictLismore, AustraliaContact: Peter Kelly, Master of PhysiotherapyTaking people
- University Centre for Rural Health, University of SydneyLismore, AustraliaContact: Christopher M Williams, PhDNot 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?
Contact the study team: see the registry record → Contacts and Locations
Print a page for my doctorTrial 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.