P107 Improving care for people with chronic low back pain - ESCAPE-pain for back

Abstract

Background/Aims Chronic low back pain (cLBP) is extremely prevalent, difficult to manage and impinges and all aspects of an individual's life and its socioeconomic impact is enormous. ESCAPE-pain is an effective rehabilitation programme for knee and hip pain that is now being rolled out across the UK and beyond. We adapted ESCAPE-pain making it relevant to people with cLBP to improve their management. This study evaluated the efficacy of the programme in improving pain, function and mental well-being for people with cLBP. Methods Participants attended 12 sessions (2/week over 6 weeks) in groups of ∼10. Each session lasted 60-90 minutes, comprised of education and supervised, progressive exercise regimen. It was delivered by physiotherapists and therapy assistants. Data collected before and after the programme on MSK-HQ, self-reported physical activity (days active for 30 minutes each week) and function (30 second sit-to-stand). Feasibility was established from the number of Trusts willing to deliver the programme, participant recruitment and attendance. Participant and clinician satisfaction with, acceptability and experiences of the programme was gleaned from qualitative feedback from the 'friends and family test' and semi-structured interviews. Results Four NHS Trusts took up the offer to deliver the programme, 165 people (106 women), mean age 55yrs were recruited. On average 78% of participants attended 74% of the programme. All Trusts were planning the continue to deliver and expand the programme after the evaluation ended. This uptake by organisations and participants is a proxy measure of the acceptability of the programme to providers and participants. The average number of days each week participant's undertook for more than 30 mins physical activity increased from 2.3 to 3.6, number of sit-to-stand participants could perform in 30 seconds increased from 8 to 12, and mean MSK-HQ score increased from 25.5 to 35.2 (9.97). Participant feedback was very positive describing how they ' gained lots of information to help me manage my pain.',' when I started I could only walk for 10 minutes before the pain started. I can now walk a lot further and I do not need to stop.',' I received the knowledge to understand that it is not just rest that I need for my pains but also activity and exercise.',' helped me feel more motivated and confident to exercise ',' it has improved the quality of my life and I feel a whole lot better ' Conclusion: ESCAPE-pain for backs was accepted, well liked and improved clinical outcomes. The programme delivered care in line with NICE guidelines. The organisations were planning to expand delivery across other sites within their Trusts. Following wide expressions of interest we are rolling out of ESCAPE-pain for backs in NHS, leisure and community centres across the UK.