Institute for Musculoskeletal Health

We hope the findings of this project lead to improved physical activity levels in adults who have difficulty walking. 

The aim is to evaluate the effectiveness of two physical activity interventions on adults with self-reported walking difficulty. The participant will be allocated to one of three groups. The first intervention includes: a tailored physical activity plan based on a face-to-face assessment with a physiotherapist, six months of phone-based health coaching, use of technology to keep you active and access to online resources. The second intervention is a less intensive health-coaching program involving a phone consultation with a physiotherapist, monthly text messages to follow up and access to online resources. The third group will receive no intervention for the first six months and then receive the second intervention for the second six months. The project will be conducted over 12 months. You may be eligible to participate in this study if you are 18 years or older, living in the community, and have a mobility limitation – difficulty or inability to walk 800m. 

Principal investigator: Professor Cathie Sherrington

Chief investigators: Professor Rana Hinman, Professor Maria Crotty, Professor Tammy Hoffmann, Associate Professor Anne Tiedemann, Professor Lisa Harvey, Professor Nicholas Taylor and Dr Leanne Hassett

For more information about this project, please contact Dr Leanne Hassett at leanne.hassett@sydney.edu.au.

This is a NHMRC Project Grant (2018 - 2021) in the Physical Activity, Ageing and Disability theme.

We hope the findings of this project lead to the development of home-based exercise programs to improve strength, balance and reduce falls and improve shoulder functioning in older people. 

The aim of this project is to compare the effectiveness of two home-based exercise programs - one aimed at improving lower limb strength and balance for preventing falls and the other aimed at improving upper limb strength and mobility to reduce shoulder dysfunction. Participants are taught the exercises in a group workshop setting and then complete their exercises at home three times each week for 12 months. Participants are provided with a calendar to record their exercises and falls each month, and a program manual and exercise weights. 

Principal investigator: Professor Cathie Sherrington

Chief investigators: Dr Susan Furber, Associate Professor Anne Tiedemann, Professor Kirsten Howard, Professor Adrian Bauman, Associate Professor Karen Ginn and Dr Paul Van Den Dolder

For more information about this project, please contact Professor Cathie Sherrington at cathie.sherrington@sydney.edu.au. This project has received ethics approval from the University of Wollongong and Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District (HE14/279). 

This is a NHMRC Partnership Grant (2014 – 2019) in the Physical Activity, Ageing and Disability theme.

Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry: ACTRN12615000865516

We hope the findings of this project lead to increased physical activity, decrease the risk of falling and improve eating habits in older people.

The aim is to evaluate the effectiveness of two 12 month healthy ageing strategies among people who attend established, community-based groups. The first intervention is a physical activity and fall prevention intervention, including telephone-based health coaching and written information on physical activity and falls. The second is a nutrition intervention involving telephone-based health coaching and written information about eating habits. The trial also aims to establish the impact of these interventions on physical activity, eating habits, weight (body mass index), goal attainment, mobility confidence, quality of life, fear of falling, risk-taking behaviour, well-being, and mood. 

Principal investigator: Professor Cathie Sherrington

Chief investigators: Associate Professor Anne Tiedemann, Professor Dafna Merom, Professor Stuart Smith, Associate Professor Allison Tong, Professor Kirsten Howard and Professor Chris Rissel

For more information about this project, please contact Associate Professor Anne Tiedemann at anne.tiedemann@sydney.edu.au. This project has received ethics approval from the University of Sydney Human Research Ethics Committee (2013/789).

This is a NHMRC Project Grant (2015 - 2018) in the Physical Activity, Ageing and Disability theme.

Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry: ACTRN12615001190594

We hope the findings of this project lead to the development of an education program to improve physical and mental health and prevent disability in middle-aged women.

This project offers a free one hour workshop to staff members from the Sydney Local Health District and the University of Sydney, who are aged 50 years and over and able to take part in regular physical activity. The workshop provides information about the importance of physical activity for maximising physical and mental health and preventing disability in older age. It also provides information regarding local area resources to participate in and enhance physical activity. Follow-up support is offered via fortnightly email messages and use of a Fitbit activity tracker.

Principal investigator: Professor Cathie Sherrington

Chief investigators: Professor Colleen Canning, Dr Leanne Hassett, Ms Cath MacKay, Dr Bethan Richards, Professor Roberta Shepherd, Associate Professor Anne Tiedemann and Ms Geraldine Wallbank

For more information about this project, please contact Ms Geraldine Wallbank at sph.activewoman@sydney.edu.au. This project has received ethics approval from the University of Sydney Human Research Ethics Committee.

This project is part of the Physical Activity, Ageing and Disability theme.

Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry: ACTRN12617000485336

We hope the findings of this project lead to an effective treatment for acute low back pain through reducing pain, increasing mobility, and decreasing use of pain medication. 

The aim of this project is to test the effectiveness of a heat wrap therapy by measuring the patient's use of analgesic medications, clinical outcomes, and adverse events. Adult patients will be eligible for this project if they have acute non-specific low back pain of at least moderate pain intensity, and have not previously tried heat wrap therapy for their low back pain. The participants will wear the heat wrap during waking hours for up to 7 days. Participants will be asked to complete a pain diary over the course of the trial. 

Principal investigator: Dr Christina Abdel Shaheed

Chief investigators: Associate Professor Christine Lin, Dr Stephanie Mathieson, Professor Chris Maher, Associate Professor Laurent Billot, Professor Andrew McLachlan, Professor Ric Day, Professor Jane Latimer, Dr Gustavo Machado, Dr Adrian Traeger, Associate Professor Patrick Kelly and Dr Fiona Stanaway

For more information about this project, please contact Dr Christina Abdel Shaheed at christina.abdelshaheed@sydney.edu.au. This study has received ethics approval from the University of Sydney Human Research Ethics Committee.

This project is prospectively registered and not currently recruiting in the Intervention Testing theme.

Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry: ACTRN12618000270213

We hope that implementation of a new model of care for acute low back pain will make an enormous difference to the health outcomes of patients when visiting an emergency department (ED) and improve the quality of emergency services.

Low back pain patients presenting to EDs often receive complex and unnecessary interventions (e.g. imaging and opioids) yet miss out on the basics of care such as advice on how to self-manage the condition. The Agency for Clinical Innovation (ACI) has recently published a model of care for acute low back pain. The key messages for practice are that non-serious acute low back pain does not require imaging, simple analgesics should be the first option for medicine, and patients should be managed as outpatients. Timely referral and scheduled follow-up reviews are also recommended. At present, active implementation of the ACI model of care and its effects have not been evaluated, and passive dissemination (i.e. publication on a website) is unlikely to change ED practices.

The SHaPED trial aims to improve ED practices through implementing an evidence-based model of care for acute low back pain and evaluate the effects on healthcare service, patient outcomes, and cost compared with usual emergency care.

Principal investigator: Professor Chris Maher

Chief investigators: Dr Gustavo De Carvalho Machado, Dr Bethan Richards, Dr Chris Needs, Dr James Edwards, Dr Eileen Rogan, Dr Rochelle Facer, Professor Ian Harris, Professor Rachelle Buchbinder, Ms Danielle Coombs, Associate Professor Laurent Billot, Dr Matt Oliver, Professor Kirsten Howard and Professor Kirsten McCaffery

For more information about this project, please visit the SHaPED Trial website or contact Dr Gustavo Machado at ph.shaped@sydney.edu.au. The project has received ethics approval from Sydney Local Health District (X17-0043) and is endorsed by the Australia & New Zealand Musculoskeletal (ANZMUSC) Clinical Trials Network.

Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry: ACTRN12617001160325

This project will provide the first robust evidence on the effectiveness of opioids in the treatment of acute low back pain and neck pain. The trial results will improve care for patients suffering acute spinal pain.

Low back pain and neck pain place an enormous burden on patients and health services, both nationally and internationally. Despite the widespread use and recommendations in clinical guidelines, there are no randomised controlled trials that have assessed the effectiveness of opioids for acute low back and neck pain. OPAL is a clinical trial to find out whether opioid analgesics are effective in reducing low back or neck pain, compared to placebo. The opioid analgesic medication– oxycodone - will be taken for up to six weeks. During these six weeks, the participant will be reviewed weekly by a treating physician. 

Principal investigator: Associate Professor Christine Lin

Chief investigators: Professor Chris Maher, Professor Jane Latimer, Associate Professor Laurent Billot, Professor Andrew McLachlan, Professor Ric Day and Professor Bart Koes

For more information, please contact the OPAL team at sph.opal@sydney.edu.au. The study has received ethics approval from the University of Sydney Human Research Ethics Committee (2015-004).

This project is currently recruiting in the Intervention Testing theme.

Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry: ACTRN12615000775516

This project aims to investigate the effects of oral glucocorticoids in people with acute sciatica. There is currently no simple, effective treatment to relieve the pain in acute sciatica.

Acute sciatica is a prevalent, debilitating pain condition. Preliminary evidence suggests that taking oral glucocorticoids may relieve pain and improve function in acute sciatica. The OASIS clinical trial will evaluate whether oral glucocorticoids are effective and safe compared to placebo. The medication will be taken for up to 2 weeks. Participants will be followed up for one year to measure leg pain intensity and other important outcomes. We will also assess drug safety and evaluate cost-effectiveness.

This trial is in an early phase and not yet recruiting. However the research team is looking for General Practitioners who are interested in research to be involved with the recruitment of patients with sciatica into the OASIS study.

For more information, please contact Dr Juliana Oliveira.

The sponsor of this trial is the University of Sydney. OASIS is funded by the National Health and Medical Research Council.

Principal Investigator: Professor Christine Lin

Chief Investigators: Professor Andrew McLachlan, Professor Jane Latimer, Dr Christina Abdel Shaheed, Mr Qiang Li

Associate Investigators: Dr Bethan Richards, Professor Rachelle Buchbinder, Professor Chris Maher, Professor Ric Day.

We hope the findings of this project lead to the development of a yoga-based exercise program to prevent falls in people aged 65 and over.

The aim of this project is to assess the effectiveness of a 40 week yoga program, compared with an advice booklet, on falls.  We will also assess the effectiveness of the program on other key indicators of healthy ageing, such as mental health, establish the cost-effectiveness of the intervention, and measure the yoga program’s potential for implementation.

Participants allocated to the yoga-based exercise group will attend 40 weeks of twice-weekly, one-hour yoga classes in established yoga studios in Sydney with experienced yoga teachers. Participants will be asked to complete a home-based yoga program for at least two extra 20-minute sessions each week.

This project is currently recruiting. For more information about this project, please contact us at sph.sagetrial@sydney.edu.au

Principal Investigator: Associate Professor Anne Tiedemann

Chief Investigators: Professor Cathie Sherrington, Professor Stephen Lord

Associate Investigators: Professor Kirsten Howard, Professor Adrian Bauman, Professor Chris Rissel, Professor Robert Cumming, Professor Kaarin Anstey, Professor Roberta Shepherd, Associate Professor Patrick Kelly, Dr Anne Grunseit, Ms Romina Sesto

This project has received ethics approval.

The sponsor of this trial is the University of Sydney. Funding is from the National Health and Medical Research Council.

• Professor Chris Maher, Director
• Professor Cathie Sherrington, Deputy Director
• Professor Jane Latimer, Deputy Director
• Dr Bethan Richards, Deputy Director

• Professor Ian Harris AM
• Professor Robert Herbert
• Associate Professor Anne Tidemann
• Professor Christine Lin
• Professor Steve Kamper
• Associate Professor Anne Moseley
• Dr Leanne Hassett

• Dr Christina Abdel Shaheed
• Dr Marina De Barros Pinheiro
• Dr Gustavo De Carvalho Machado
• Dr Juliana De Oliveira
• Dr Giovanni Ferreira
• Dr Stephanie Mathieson
• Dr Mary O’Keeffe
• Dr Adrian Traeger
• Dr Josh Zadro