Primary and Secondary Outcomes Over the 6-Month Follow-Up
| UC | SPLIT | |
|---|---|---|
| Back-related disability (RMDQ, 0 to 24) | ||
| 2 months: UC, n = 110; SPLIT, n = 315 | ||
| Mean (SD) | 9.14 (6.77) | 3.02 (3.81) |
| Achieved MIC, No. (%)a | 54 (49.1) | 240 (76.2) |
| Poor disability, No. (%)b | 64 (58.2) | 49 (15.6) |
| 6 months: UC, n = 104; SPLIT, n = 281 | ||
| Mean (SD) | 8.37 (6.83) | 3.06 (4.23) |
| Achieved MIC, No. (%)a | 53 (51.0) | 210 (74.7) |
| Poor disability, No. (%)b | 56 (53.8) | 47 (16.7) |
| Pain intensity (NPRS, 0 to 10) | ||
| 2 months: UC, n = 110; SPLIT, n = 315 | ||
| Mean (SD) | 3.88 (2.90) | 1.58 (2.17) |
| Achieved MIC, No. (%)a | 55 (50.0) | 239 (75.9) |
| 6 months: UC, n = 104; SPLIT, n = 281 | ||
| Mean (SD) | 3.18 (3.24) | 1.83 (2.55) |
| Achieved MIC, No. (%)a | 60 (57.7) | 195 (69.4) |
| Perceived effect of treatment (GPES, −5 to +5) | ||
| 2 months: UC, n = 110; SPLIT, n = 315 | ||
| Median (IQR) | 3.0 (4.0) | 4.0 (2.0) |
| Achieved MIC, No. (%)a | 58 (52.7) | 233 (74.0) |
| 6 months: UC, n = 104; SPLIT, n = 281 | ||
| Median (IQR) | 3.0 (4.0) | 4.0 (2.0) |
| Achieved MIC, No. (%)a | 56 (53.8) | 213 (75.8) |
| HRQoL (EQ-5D-3L, 0 to 1) | ||
| 2 months: UC, n = 110; SPLIT, n = 314 | ||
| Mean (SD) | 0.61 (0.27) | 0.81 (0.21) |
| 6 months: UC, n = 104; SPLIT, n = 281 | ||
| Mean (SD) | 0.59 (0.25) | 0.81 (0.23) |
EQ-5D-3L = EuroQoL 5 dimensions 3 levels; GPES = Global Perceived Effect Scale; HRQoL = health-related quality of life; IQR = interquartile range; MIC = minimal important change; NPRS = Numeric Pain Rating Scale; RMDQ = Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire; SPLIT = stratified primary care for low back pain; UC = usual care.
↵a Based on established MIC criteria: ≥30% decrease from baseline for RMDQ and NPRS and a GPES score ≥3.
↵b Based on a cutoff RMDQ score ≥7.