Research program update

Implementing individualised physiotherapy for chronic low back pain in Bangladesh and Nigeria

Two international clinical trials are evaluating the implementation of the STOPS (Specific Treatment of Problems of the Spine) approach for chronic low back pain in Bangladesh and Nigeria. These studies compare usual physiotherapy care with structured, individualised biopsychosocial physiotherapy following clinician training, assessing patient outcomes, cost-effectiveness, and implementation feasibility over a 12-month period. Together, they examine whether evidence-based models developed in Australia can be successfully translated to low- and middle-income healthcare settings.

Patient perceptions of low back pain and physiotherapy in Bangladesh

A qualitative study explored how people in Bangladesh understand chronic low back pain and their experiences with physiotherapy. Findings identified limited understanding of pain mechanisms, strong reliance on physician authority, and cultural beliefs that favour passive or traditional treatments, often positioning physiotherapy as a last resort. These findings highlight the importance of culturally informed education and care models when implementing evidence-based pain management in low-resource settings.

Current physiotherapy assessment and treatment practices for low back pain in Nigeria

A national survey of Nigerian physiotherapists identified substantial gaps between current low back pain management practices and international clinical guidelines. Passive treatments were commonly used, while screening for psychosocial factors and the use of individualised, multimodal approaches were uncommon. Encouragingly, most respondents expressed strong interest in further training in evidence-based low back pain care.

The association between telehealth utilisation and outcomes in a multidisciplinary pain management program

Our research team has recently published findings in Musculoskeletal Science and Practice examining the impact of telehealth delivery within a multidisciplinary pain management program. The study evaluated outcomes for 194 patients who completed a three-month program in Melbourne, Australia with six-month follow-up between March 2020 and March 2022. Patients demonstrated improvement across all measured clinical outcomes, with no evidence of poorer outcomes associated with telehealth delivery. These findings support the integration of telehealth alongside in-person care and provide real-world evidence to inform rehabilitation service delivery for people living with chronic pain who face barriers to accessing face-to-face services, including those in rural or remote areas.