Table 1.

Inclusion and Exclusion criteria for patient recruitment in the PACE Plus trial

Inclusion criteria

Exclusion criteria

• Age between 18 and 60 years;  • Low back pain of less than 6 weeks duration;  • Primary complaint of pain between the 12th rib and buttock crease;  • Experiencing a new episode of low back pain, preceded by a period of at least 1 month without low back pain;  • Low back pain severe enough to cause at least moderate pain (≥4 on 0–10 numerical rating scale (NRS)).

• Known or suspected serious spinal pathology; • Currently taking recommended regular doses of analgesics, including paracetamol or diclofenac; • Spinal surgery within the preceding 6 months; • Serious comorbidities preventing prescription of paracetamol or diclofenac; • Use of medication interacting with paracetamol or diclofenac; • Known intolerance for paracetamol or diclofenac; • Pregnancy or planning to become pregnant during the treatment period.