Notus
Notus is a government-funded clinical trial evaluating two digitally delivered interventions designed to support people with chronic back pain.
Currently recruiting Check your eligibility
Overview
Dr Rodrigo Rizzo
PhD
Principal Investigator
What is being studied
NOn-pharmacological Treatment for chronic low back pain USing digital health technology (NOTUS)
NOTUS is a government-funded clinical trial evaluating two online self-management interventions designed to help people with chronic back pain reduce pain intensity and improve daily function. The self-management intervention materials can be accessed from home, anywhere in Australia, using a smartphone with an internet connection.
About the trial
Most people with low back pain in Australia consult a general practitioner as their first point of care. However, access to evidence-based information and allied care is limited by time constraints during consultations, treatment costs, and geographic barriers, particularly in rural and remote areas. We want to understand the effectiveness of two possible online-based interventions for chronic low back pain following a general practice consultation.
Importance
The results of the study will inform how general practitioners can optimise the management of chronic back pain and support earlier access to effective care for patients.
Participation
Why participate?
This trial is for people who:
- Have low back pain for at least 3 months
- Have visited a General Practitioner in the last 3 months
- Have moderate levels of pain and function
- Can understand English via reading and audio materials
- Have access to the internet and a smartphone.
What does participation involve?
We are inviting people with low back pain from general practices across Australia through the HealthShare pre-consultation tool.
If you are eligible and choose to participate, you have a 50/50 chance of being allocated to either group, like a coin toss.
In this trial, participants express their interest after the consultation, complete online screening forms, provide online consent, complete the baseline questionnaires, and are contacted to be randomly assigned to one of the following self-management tools:
A mobile app with education and clinical hypnosis activities (reading and listening) designed to reduce back pain and improve daily function and support the treatment received from general practitioners.
OR
A one-page fact sheet with education designed to reduce back pain and improve daily function and support the treatment received from general practitioners.
Am I eligible to participate? Treatment duration
Participants in the trial will need to complete online follow-ups at 8 weeks, 12 weeks, 6 months, and 12 months after intervention assignment.
Location
Margarete Ainsworth Building
Barker Street
Randwick NSW 2031
Study team
FAQs
No, you can live anywhere in Australia. The trial is entirely online and can be accessed using your mobile phone.
No, there’s no cost at all.
Yes, you can keep receiving any treatment recommended by your doctor or any other health professional. The only exception is if you had back surgery in the past six months or are planning to in a year.
If eligible, you can start the program after your travel plans. We recommend completing the initial forms and letting the research team know.
