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Withers HG, Liu H, Glinsky JV, Chu J, Jennings MD, Hayes AJ, Starkey IJ, Palmer BA, Szymanek L, Cruwys JJ, Wong D, Duong K, Barnett A, Tindall MJ, Lucas BR, Lambert TE, Taylor DA, Sherrington C, Ferreira ML, Maher CG, Zadro JR, Harvey LA. Protocol for a process evaluation: face-to-face physiotherapy compared with a supported home exercise programme for the management of musculoskeletal conditions: the REFORM trial. BMJ Open 2022; 12:e057790. [PMID: 35790326 PMCID: PMC9258511 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-057790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The REFORM (REhabilitation FOR Musculoskeletal conditions) trial is a non-inferiority randomised controlled trial (n=210) designed to determine whether a supported home exercise programme is as good or better than a course of face-to-face physiotherapy for the management of some musculoskeletal conditions. The trial is currently being conducted across Sydney government hospitals in Australia. This process evaluation will run alongside the REFORM trial. It combines qualitative and quantitative data to help explain the trial results and determine the feasibility of rolling out supported home exercise programmes in settings similar to the REFORM trial. METHODS AND ANALYSIS Two theoretical frameworks underpin our process evaluation methodology: the Realist framework (context, mechanism, outcomes) considers the causal assumptions as to why a supported home exercise programme may be as good or better than face-to-face physiotherapy in terms of the context, mechanisms and outcomes of the trial. The RE-AIM framework describes the Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation and Maintenance of the intervention. These two frameworks will be broadly used to guide this process evaluation using a mixed-methods approach. For example, qualitative data will be derived from interviews with patients, healthcare professionals and stakeholders, and quantitative data will be collected to determine the cost and feasibility of providing supported home exercise programmes. These data will be analysed iteratively before the analysis of the trial results and will be triangulated with the results of the primary and secondary outcomes. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION This trial will be conducted in accordance with the National Health and Medical Research Council National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research (2018) and the Note for Good Clinical Practice (CPMP/ICH-135/95). Ethical approval was obtained on 17 March 2017 from the Northern Sydney Local Health District Human Research Ethics Committee (trial number: HREC/16HAWKE/431-RESP/16/287) with an amendment for the process evaluation approved on 4 February 2020. The results of the process evaluation will be disseminated through publications in peer-reviewed journals and presentations at scientific conferences. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER ACTRN12619000065190.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah G Withers
- John Walsh Centre for Rehabilitation Research, Northern Sydney Local Health District, The University of Sydney, Kolling Institute, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Hueiming Liu
- The George Institute for Global Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Joanne V Glinsky
- John Walsh Centre for Rehabilitation Research, Northern Sydney Local Health District, The University of Sydney, Kolling Institute, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Jackie Chu
- John Walsh Centre for Rehabilitation Research, Northern Sydney Local Health District, The University of Sydney, Kolling Institute, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Matthew D Jennings
- Physiotherapy Department, South Western Sydney Local Health District, Liverpool, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Alison J Hayes
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Ian J Starkey
- Physiotherapy Department, Blacktown and Mount Druitt Hospital, Blacktown, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Blake A Palmer
- Physiotherapy Department, Blacktown and Mount Druitt Hospital, Blacktown, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Lukas Szymanek
- Physiotherapy Department, Campbelltown Hospital, Campbelltown, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Jackson J Cruwys
- Physiotherapy Department, Campbelltown Hospital, Campbelltown, New South Wales, Australia
| | - David Wong
- Physiotherapy Department, Liverpool Hospital, Liverpool, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Kitty Duong
- Physiotherapy Department, Liverpool Hospital, Liverpool, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Anne Barnett
- Physiotherapy Department, Bankstown Hospital, Bankstown, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Matthew J Tindall
- Physiotherapy Department, Bankstown Hospital, Bankstown, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Barbara R Lucas
- Physiotherapy Department, Royal North Shore Hospital, St Leonards, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Tara E Lambert
- Physiotherapy Department, Royal North Shore Hospital, St Leonards, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Deborah A Taylor
- Physiotherapy Department, Royal North Shore Hospital, St Leonards, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Catherine Sherrington
- Institute for Musculoskeletal Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Manuela L Ferreira
- Sydney Musculoskeletal Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Christopher G Maher
- Institute for Musculoskeletal Health, School of Public Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Joshua R Zadro
- Institute for Musculoskeletal Health, School of Public Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Lisa A Harvey
- John Walsh Centre for Rehabilitation Research, Northern Sydney Local Health District, The University of Sydney, Kolling Institute, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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Withers HG, Glinsky JV, Chu J, Jennings MD, Hayes AJ, Starkey IJ, Palmer BA, Szymanek L, Cruwys JJ, Wong D, Duong K, Barnett A, Tindall MJ, Lucas BR, Lambert TE, Sherrington C, Maher CG, Ferreira ML, Taylor DA, Harvey LA. Face-to-face physiotherapy compared with a supported home exercise programme for the management of musculoskeletal conditions: protocol of a multicentre, randomised controlled trial-the REFORM trial. BMJ Open 2021; 11:e041242. [PMID: 34006536 PMCID: PMC8130735 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-041242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Exercise, support and advice are considered core components of management for most musculoskeletal conditions and are typically provided by physiotherapists through regular face-to-face treatments. However, exercise can be provided remotely as part of a home exercise programme, while support and advice can be provided over the telephone. There is initial evidence from trials and systematic reviews to suggest that remotely provided physiotherapy can be used to manage a variety of musculoskeletal conditions safely and effectively. METHODS AND ANALYSIS The aim of this single-blind randomised controlled non-inferiority trial is to determine whether a supported home exercise programme is as good as or better than face-to-face physiotherapy for the treatment of musculoskeletal conditions. Two hundred and ten participants will be recruited from five public hospitals in Sydney, Australia. Participants will be randomised to either the supported home exercise group or the face-to-face physiotherapy group. Participants allocated to the supported home exercise group will initially receive one face-to-face session with the trial physiotherapist and will then be managed remotely for the next 6 weeks. Participants allocated to the face-to-face physiotherapy group will receive a course of physiotherapy as typically provided in Sydney government hospitals. The primary outcome is function measured by the Patient Specific Functional Scale at 6 weeks. There will be nine secondary outcomes measured at 6 and 26 weeks. Separate analyses will be conducted on each outcome, and all analyses will be conducted on an intention-to-treat basis. A health economic evaluation will be conducted from a health funder plus patient perspective. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION Ethical approval was obtained on the 17 March 2017 from the Northern Sydney Local Health District HREC, trial number HREC/16HAWKE/431-RESP/16/287. The results of this study will be submitted for publication to peer-reviewed journals and be presented at national and international conferences. Recruitment commenced in March 2019, and it is anticipated that the trial will be completed by December 2021. This trial will investigate two different models of physiotherapy care for people with musculoskeletal conditions. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER CPMP/ICH-135/95. PROTOCOL VERSION The most recent version of the protocol is V.1.2 dated November 2019.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah G Withers
- Kolling Institute, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Joanne V Glinsky
- Kolling Institute, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Kolling Institute, Northern Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Jackie Chu
- Kolling Institute, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Matthew D Jennings
- Department of Physiotherapy, South Western Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Alison J Hayes
- School of Public Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Ian J Starkey
- Physiotherapy Department, Blacktown & Mount Druitt Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Blake A Palmer
- Physiotherapy Department, Blacktown & Mount Druitt Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Lukas Szymanek
- Department of Physiotherapy, Campbelltown Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Jackson J Cruwys
- Department of Physiotherapy, Campbelltown Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - David Wong
- Department of Physiotherapy, Liverpool Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Kitty Duong
- Department of Physiotherapy, Liverpool Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Anne Barnett
- Department of Physiotherapy, Bankstown Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Matthew J Tindall
- Department of Physiotherapy, Bankstown Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Barbara R Lucas
- Department of Physiotherapy, Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Tara E Lambert
- Department of Physiotherapy, Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Catherine Sherrington
- Sydney School of Public Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Christopher G Maher
- Institute for Musculoskeletal Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Manuela L Ferreira
- Institute of Bone and Joint Research, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Deborah A Taylor
- Department of Physiotherapy, Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Lisa A Harvey
- Kolling Institute, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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