Low back pain: a modified Delphi study, a systematic review with meta-analysis of intervention and a systematic review of costs

Abstract

Low back pain is one of the most disabling health problems worldwide and is highly associated with costs and absenteeism. Research is needed to better explain about the effects of interventions, costs, and to establish consensus among specialists to support new studies in this field. Objective: to enable the doctoral student to perform a wide range of studies. These studies are: 1) a systematic review about the effects of kinesio taping in patients with low back pain; 2) a systematic review about low back pain costs; and 3) a modified Delphi study to establish guidelines for current and future research on low back pain. Methods: this project comprises three chapters. Chapter 1 will refers to a modified Delphi study conducted in three rounds with questionnaires sent by email to a list of group investigators who are experts in low back pain. The questionnaire will include a list of research priorities for complex long-term follow-up cohorts in low back pain. Chapter 2 refers to a systematic review with a meta-analysis of the effectiveness of Kinesio Taping in patients with low back pain. Finally, chapter 3 presents the protocol of a systematic review of direct and indirect costs for patients with low back pain. (AU)