Capacity
A government funded study testing two treatments aimed to help you deal with chronic low back pain. It’s accessible online from your home.
Currently recruiting Check your eligibility
Overview
Associate Prof Matthew Jones
PhD
Principal Investigator
What is being studied
CAPACITY is a government-funded study testing two treatments aimed at helping people manage chronic low back pain. The trial is delivered entirely online, from the comfort of participants’ own homes.
About the trial
Chronic low back pain is a persistent and disabling condition. CAPACITY aims to determine whether a structured pain science education and goal-setting program is more effective than usual guideline-based advice for people with chronic low back pain who are physically inactive.
Participation
Screening Steps
1. Complete an online questionnaire
2. Discuss the trial with the study team
3. Determine eligibility to participate
Check your eligibility What does participation involve (post-screening):
Group allocation: 50/50 random allocation (like a coin toss) to one of two groups:
Group A: Pain Science Education + Goal Setting: 5 × 1-hour Zoom sessions with a trained physiotherapist or exercise physiologist, plus home activities.
Group B: Usual guideline-based advice.
Number of sessions: 5 × 1-hour Zoom sessions (Group A only).
Assessment points: 4 time points — before treatment, after treatment at 8 weeks, 6 months, and 1 year.
Treatment duration
8-week treatment with follow-up to 1 year.
Delivery
Fully online, no travel required.
Age/eligibility
Aged 45 years or older; low back pain for at least 3 months; currently physically inactive; access to the internet.
Number of participants
450
Study team
FAQs
Yes. The interventions in the CAPACITY Trial are delivered online and participants are recruited Australia-wide.
No. CAPACITY Trial interventions are provided at no cost to you. Participation is voluntary, and participants will not receive payment for their time.
Yes. The pain science education and goal-setting program may be a different approach from the care you are already receiving from your healthcare provider.
No. Participants in the CAPACITY Trial are randomly allocated to one of two intervention groups. Neither the participant nor the research team have control over group assignment.
No. If you are currently participating in another clinical trial for low back pain or another health condition, you are not eligible to take part in the CAPACITY Trial.
