EASEBACK

Study design

EASEBACK is a two phase study comprising mixed methods; phase 1 included surveys and interviews; phase 1 comprised a single-centre, pragmatic, parallel group, pilot randomised controlled trial.

Phase 1 included surveys and interviews; 
Phase 2 comprised a single-centre, pragmatic, parallel group, pilot randomised controlled trial.

Primary objective

To assess the feasibility of undertaking a randomised controlled trial of usual care, usual care plus true acupuncture and usual care plus sham acupuncture for pregnancy-related back pain.

To provide data on likely recruitment and follow up rates for the main trial plus completion rates on key outcomes and an estimate of likely effect size difference between the intervention (usual care plus acupuncture) and control (standard care) arms.

Interventions

Usual care, including a written package of education and advice about self-management plus onward referral to physiotherapy if required, or usual care plus one of two forms of acupuncture, delivered over 6 to 8 treatment sessions with appropriately trained NHS physiotherapists.