Patients interested in volunteering
A medical referral is not necessary for people wanting to participate in the STOPS Trials, however you may want to discuss the trial with your treating doctor.
You are potentially eligible for receiving treatment in the STOPS Trials if you:
- Are aged between 18 – 65;
- Have had your back problem for between 6 weeks and 6 months;
- Have not had previous back surgery;
- Do not have a WorkCover or TAC claim for the back problem;
- Are able to complete written questionnaires in English.
The treatment for the STOPS Trials is free of charge and provided at one of our thirteen (13) Melbourne Metropolitan practices.
If you are interested in participating in the STOPS Trials please download and complete the self referral form (downloadable from the link on the above right).
The completed referral form can be sent to the STOPS Trial Administrator by:
- Email to backpain@pac.com.au
- Fax to (03) 9778 6663
Or for further information please telephone: 03 9479 5871
The Trial Administrator will then contact you for the earliest possible appointment
At the first appointment, you will be assessed to check if you are eligible for the STOPS Trials. You will then need to provide consent to participate. In the trial, you will be randomly (by chance) allocated into either an evidence-based advice group or evidence-based advice and specific treatment group.
Importantly, regardless of which group you are in, you will receive treatment beneficial for your low back pain and are expected to improve. The purpose of the trials is to test whether the addition of specific treatment commonly prescribed by physiotherapists gives patients any further benefit to evidence-based advice treatment.
Please note that you will not incur any charge for treatment provided in the STOPS Trials. If, on assessment, you are not eligible, or you do not consent to randomisation, you will be offered a no obligation treatment program at a discounted rate of $45.00 per consultation for a minimum of five sessions.
For more information on the STOPS trials please contact us by email or by calling Dr Jon Ford on 0422 244 183.