Table 2.
Clinical characteristics of treatment groups at baseline. Values are numbers (percentages) unless stated otherwise
| Clinical characteristic | Intervention group (n=210) | Control group (n=211) |
|---|---|---|
| History of low back pain: | ||
| Median No of weeks of episode (interquartile range) | 10 (7-15) | 10 (7-14) |
| Median No of weeks of pain in past 6 months (interquartile range) | 12 (9-16) | 12 (8-15) |
| Median No of days off work with this episode (interquartile range) | 14 (5.5-21) | 14 (6-33.25) |
| Missing values | 7 | 7 |
| Median No of days rested in bed with this episode (interquartile range) | 3 (2-7) | 4 (2-14) |
| Previous episodes | 166 (79) | 169 (80) |
| Associated lower limb symptoms: | ||
| Pain | 95 (45) | 90 (43) |
| Numbness or parasthesia | 35 (17) | 42 (20) |
| Weakness | 13 (6) | 27 (13) |
| Associated lower limb signs: | ||
| Straight leg raising of 90 degrees bilaterally | 191 (91) | 184 (87) |
| Normal ankle jerks bilaterally | 197 (94) | 201 (95) |
| Missing values | 1 | |
| Normal knee jerks bilaterally | 201 (96) | 198 (94) |
| Missing values | 1 | 1 |
| Normal light touch sensation | 204 (99) | 204 (98) |
| Missing values | 3 | 3 |
| Normal pin prick sensation | 204 (99) | 204 (98) |
| Missing values | 3 | 3 |
| No weakness of dorsiflexion of toe | 198 (95) | 208 (99) |
| Missing values | 1 | 1 |
| No weakness of dorsiflexion of foot | 203 (97) | 206 (98) |
| Missing values | 1 | 1 |
| Thigh wasting >2 cm either leg | 5 (2) | 4 (2) |
| Missing values | 2 | 1 |
| Calf wasting >2 cm either leg | 3 (1) | 2 (1) |
| Missing values | 2 | 1 |
| Health and functional status: | ||
| Median Roland disability score (interquartile range) | 7 (4-11.25) | 8 (4-12) |
| Median pain score (interquartile range) | 2 (1-2) | 2 (1-2) |
| Median EuroQol score (interquartile range) | 0.69 (0.62-0.76) | 0.69 (0.62-0.76) |
| Missing values | 6 | 14 |
| Median health status score (interquartile range) | 70 (50-80) | 70 (50-80) |
| Median satisfaction with consultation (interquartile range) | 19 (17-22) | 20 (17.75-22) |
| Missing values | 14 | 21 |
| Use of health and other services: | ||
| Hospital admission | 0 | 0 |
| Outpatient attendance | 2 (1) | 0 |
| 1 visit to doctor | 104 (50) | 95 (45) |
| 2 visits to doctor | 62 (30) | 62 (30) |
| 3 visits to doctor | 27 (13) | 31 (15) |
| 4 visits to doctor | 17 (8) | 23 (11) |
| Taken prescribed drug | 135 (64) | 146 (69) |
| Taken over the counter drug | 135 (64) | 154 (73) |
| Physiotherapy | 54 (27) | 64 (31) |
| Missing values | 9 | 6 |
| Osteopathy | 22 (11) | 14 (7) |
| Missing values | 9 | 6 |
| Chiropractic | 6 (3) | 6 (3) |
| Missing values | 9 | 6 |
| Acupuncture | 5 (3) | 7 (3) |
| Missing values | 9 | 6 |