Which Model of Care is the Most Cost-effective in the Treatment of Musculoskeletal Disorders?

Recruiting now · Not applicable

Conditions studied: Low Back Pain, Neck Pain, Anterior Knee Pain Syndrome, Rotator-cuff Related Shoulder Pain

In brief

As musculoskeletal disorders (MSKDs) reach epidemic proportions in Canada, access to the public health system for those who suffer from them is increasingly difficult. One of the main barriers is the delays to see a publicly funded health professional. New models of care must therefore be developed to ensure better access. We have previously shown that not all patients with a MSKD need to be closely followed by a health professional as for a large proportion of patients simply educating them is enough to resolve their MSKD. A stepped care model where education would be given first before deciding if patients need a more extensive follow-up should be explored. This project will compare the effectiveness of a Stepped Care Model to that of the two most widely used models of care: Usual Medical Care and Usual Rehabilitation Care. We think that a Stepped Care Model will be as effective to reduce functional limitations, but will lead to lower healthcare costs. Adults (n=369) with a MSKD will be randomly assigned to one of the intervention groups: Stepped Care, Usual Medical Care (physician-led intervention: e.g., advice/education, pharmacological pain management), or Usual Rehabilitation Care (physiotherapist-led intervention: e.g., advice/education, exercises). Participants in the Stepped Care Group will take part in two education sessions during the first 6 weeks. After 6 weeks, those who still have clinically important symptoms will receive follow-up rehabilitation interventions, while those who don't will be considered recovered and will have no further intervention. Primary (functional limitations) and secondary (e.g., pain, quality of life) outcomes will be assessed at baseline, and at 6, 12 and 24 weeks, and costs estimate will be established for each model of care. Knowing the urgent need for an overhaul of services to reduce wait times, the Stepped Care Model proposed could be a solution to improve access to health services without compromising quality of care.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT06832852

Run by

Laval University

People needed

369

Starts

2025-01-31

Expected to finish

2028-07-31

Last updated by the study team

2025-02-18

Who can join

Age: 18 and older, up to 65. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.

You may qualify if…

• present with one of the four targeted MSKDs (low back pain, neck pain, anterior knee pain, rotator cuff-related shoulder pain).
• have had pain for at least 6 weeks.
• For low back pain (LBP): 1) non-specific LBP with or without radiation to the lower limbs, 2) minimal score of 15 on the ODI.
• For neck pain : 1) non-specific neck pain with or without radiation to the upper limbs, 2) minimal score of 21 on the NDI.
• For anterior knee pain : 1) anterior knee pain during walking, running or going up or down stairs, or during at least two activities among: kneeling, squatting, and resisted knee extension, 2) maximum score of 79 on the KOS-ADL.
• For rotator cuff-related shoulder pain : 1) minimal score of 15 on the QuickDASH, and 2) shoulder pain attributed to a rotator cuff-related shoulder pain using diagnostic guidelines of the British Elbow and Shoulder Society.

You may not qualify if…

• Unavailable to participate during the 24 weeks of the study.
• Do not understand French or English.
• Diagnosis of rheumatoid, inflammatory or neurodegenerative diseases.
• Received a corticosteroid injection in the previous 3 months.
• Cognitive problems interfering (Mini-Mental State Examination ≥ 24).
• Received a corticosteroid injection in the previous 3 months.
• Less than 6 weeks since an intervention for their condition (including performing prescribed condition-specific exercises or taking prescribed medication).
• For low back pain (LBP): 1) LBP related to specific conditions (e.g., vertebral fracture, infections, neuropathic pain [>4 at the DN4 questionnaire]), 2) history of spine surgery or signs of upper motor neuron lesions (bilateral paresthesia, hyperreflexia or spasticity)..
• For neck pain : 1) neck pain related to specific conditions (e.g.; vertebral fracture, infections, neuropathic pain [>4 at the DN4 questionnaire]), 2) history of spine surgery or signs of upper motor neuron lesions.
• For anterior knee pain : 1) history of knee surgery or patellar dislocation, 2) pain believed to originate either from meniscus or from any knee ligament.
• For rotator cuff-related shoulder pain : 1) history of shoulder surgery, dislocations, fractures or capsulitis, 2) full thickness rotator cuff tear identified by imagery or clinical tests (lag signs and gross weakness).

Where it is running

• Centre for interdisciplinary research in rehabilitation and social integration (Cirris) — Québec, Quebec, Canada (enrolling)

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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