The back home trial: general practitioner-supported leaflets may change back XXXX behavior.

@entity1 @entity1643 @entity615 @entity1515 @entity158
STUDY DESIGN: A single-blind randomized controlled trial of a leaflet developed for @entity1 with @entity1643 was compared with the usual general practitioner management of back @entity158 . OBJECTIVE: To test the effectiveness of a @entity1 information leaflet on knowledge, attitude, behavior, and function. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Despite the commonality of back @entity158 in general practice, little evidence on the effectiveness of simple interventions such as leaflets and advice on self-management has been reported. On the basis of a five-stage needs analysis, a simple leaflet was developed that considered the views of @entity1 and health professionals. METHODS: For this study, 64 @entity1 with @entity615 were assigned to the leaflet or control group. The @entity1 were visited at home after 2 days, 2 weeks, then 3, 6, and 12 months, where they completed a range of self-report measures. Behavioral aspects were discretely recorded by a "blinded" researcher. Primary outcomes were knowledge, attitude, behavior, and function. RESULTS: In all, 272 home visits were undertaken. The findings show that at 2 weeks, knowledge about sitting posture was greater in the leaflet group (P = 0.006), which transferred to a behavioral difference (sitting with @entity1515 support) when @entity1 were unaware that they were being observed (P = 0.009). This difference remained significant at 3 months. @entity1 in the leaflet group also were better at maintaining a wide base of support when lifting a light object than the control subjects throughout all five assessments. There were no significant differences in the functional outcomes tested. CONCLUSIONS: This trial demonstrates that written advice for @entity1 can be a contributory factor in the initial general practitioner consultation because it may change aspects of knowledge and behavior. This has implications for the management of @entity615 , with potential health gain.
