Research at Keele Discovering Excellence | Page 25

“Our mission is to identify ways to
reduce chronic musculoskeletal
pain in individuals and the population.”
Research impact
The ‘STarT Back trial’ was the
culmination of 10 years’ research
activity. The Centre developed a
core set of simple questions which
can be used by GPs or
physiotherapists during a routine
consultation. The answer which
back pain patients give to these
questions then groups them into
those at low, medium or high-risk
of experiencing persistent and
disabling back pain.
New treatment approaches are
then specifically targeted to these
groups. A simple package of advice,
exercise and short-term pain
medication is used for the low-risk
group, more intensive physiotherapy

is prescribed for the medium risk
group and intensive physiotherapy
plus structured approaches to
managing and coping with pain,
based on psychological treatments
such as cognitive behavioural
therapy (CBT), is recommended
for the high-risk group.

The STarT Back Screening
Tool and the targeted treatment
approaches are available online
(www.keele.ac.uk/startback)
and the new approach is being
rapidly integrated into Back Pain
Treatment Guidelines nationally
and internationally.

Professor Elaine Hay, the Chief
Investigator in the STarT Back trial,
and Director of the Research Centre
concludes: “When we tested the
screening and targeted treatment
approach in real-life general
practice and physiotherapy, we
found significant improvements in
patients’ pain, function and patient
satisfaction – alongside significant
cost-savings both for the NHS
and society.” ()%