CompletedInterventional

Cognitive Muscular Therapy - developing a training programme for physiotherapists

Long-term lower back pain affects millions of people across the UK. Often, worry about pain causes muscles in the back and stomach to stay tight, which can actually make pain worse over time. Researchers at the University of Salford have created an approach called Cognitive Muscular Therapy (CMT). This teaches people how their thoughts and muscle tension connect, helping them learn to relax key muscles during everyday tasks. In this study, participants attend seven weekly face-to-face sessions with a physiotherapist. Small sticky sensors provide live feedback on muscle activity during movements. The team hopes to use these sessions to design a training course for NHS physiotherapists. Anyone aged 18 to 100 with lower back pain lasting over three months may be eligible. Taking part could help ease your pain and will support better back care across the NHS.

At a glance

Status

Completed

Sponsor

University of Salford

Enrolment target

Start

01 Jul 2024

Estimated completion

01 Nov 2024

Low back pain

What is this study about?

Low back pain is one of the most common causes of disability in the UK. When you hurt your back, your body naturally tightens muscles around your spine to guard against further injury. While this protective bracing helps in the short term, keeping these muscles clenched for months or years can actually prolong pain and make moving around much harder.

Research shows that our thoughts and worries can also trigger this muscle guarding. For example, worrying that bending over will cause serious damage can make your muscles tense up automatically. To break this cycle, researchers at the University of Salford developed Cognitive Muscular Therapy (CMT). This approach combines standard physiotherapy with practical coaching to help you understand how thoughts influence your muscles, teaching you how to relax them during daily activities.

An early study found that CMT helped patients with chronic back pain achieve meaningful improvements in their everyday lives. Now, with funding from the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), the researchers want to turn this approach into a practical training course for NHS physiotherapists. By joining, you can help researchers test and refine the programme so it can benefit more patients across the country.

Key takeaways

Tests Cognitive Muscular Therapy (CMT) to help ease long-term lower back pain.
Involves seven weekly one-to-one physiotherapy visits at the University of Salford.
Uses gentle exercises and stick-on biofeedback sensors to teach muscle relaxation.
Aims to create an official training course for NHS physiotherapists.
Completely free to join, with optional paid opportunities for filming and workshops.

Who may be eligible?

This study is open to adults aged 18 to 100 who have had lower back pain for more than three months. Your pain should currently be at least a 4 out of 10 on a pain scale, and you should be able to stand for 10 minutes and walk for 5 minutes. You also need to be able to speak and understand English well enough to follow the sessions and complete the study forms.

To ensure the study is safe and the muscle sensors work accurately, some people cannot take part. You cannot join if you have had past spinal surgery, inflammatory arthritis (such as rheumatoid arthritis), or neurological conditions like Parkinson's disease or multiple sclerosis. People with a body mass index (BMI) over 33 are also unable to join, as higher body fat can block the sensors from reading muscle signals clearly.

Finally, the study is not suitable for people who are currently pregnant or had a baby within the last 12 months, anyone involved in ongoing legal claims related to their back injury, or vulnerable adults who cannot give their own consent.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you aged between 18 and 100?
Have you had lower back pain for more than 3 months?
Is your current back pain score at least 4 out of 10?
Can you stand for 10 minutes and walk for 5 minutes?
Have you avoided previous back or spinal surgery?
Is your BMI 33 or lower?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you take part, you will attend seven weekly face-to-face sessions at the University of Salford. During your first visit, researchers will record basic details such as your height, weight, and posture, and ask you to fill in questionnaires about your back pain and daily activities.

Over the seven weeks, a physiotherapist will guide you through Cognitive Muscular Therapy. You will learn how to relax your back and stomach muscles while walking and standing, supported by instructional videos. Small, non-invasive sticky sensors will be placed on your skin to give you real-time feedback on muscle tension. There are no drugs, blood tests, or invasive treatments involved. Researchers will observe the sessions, and you may choose to have your sessions video-recorded to help build future training materials (if you agree to filming, you will receive £100). You may also be invited to take part in an optional physiotherapist training day, which pays £25 per hour.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part may help reduce your back pain and help you move more freely, though these benefits cannot be guaranteed. You will also play a key role in developing a new treatment programme for NHS physiotherapists. The risks are very low because the exercises involve standard physiotherapy movements. The main possible risk is minor skin irritation or redness from the sticky sensor pads; if this happens, the sensors will be removed straight away. Your participation is completely voluntary, and you are free to stop at any time without it affecting your regular NHS medical care.

Locations (2)

The University of Salford
City only
Manchester, England
Salford Royal Hospital
Approximate
Salford, England

Common questions

Where do the sessions take place?

All seven sessions take place in person at the University of Salford.

Do I have to pay to take part?

No, taking part is completely free. If you agree to be video-recorded for training purposes, you will receive £100, and an optional training workshop offers £25 per hour.

Will I need to take any new medications?

No. This study does not involve any drugs, injections, or operations. It focuses entirely on movement, muscle relaxation, and education.

What happens if I do not want to be filmed?

Being filmed is entirely optional. You can still take part in all seven therapy sessions even if you decide not to be recorded.

Can I leave the study early if I want to?

Yes, you can leave the study at any point without giving a reason, and it will not affect your standard NHS care.

How to find out more

Nathan Brookes

n.brookes1@salford.ac.uk - Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.