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Note: This record shows only the 20 elements of the WHO Trial Registration Data Set. To view changes that have been made to the source record, or for additional information about this trial, click on the URL below to go to the source record in the primary register.
Register: Netherlands Trial Register
Last refreshed on: 27 May 2013
Main ID:  NTR952
Date of registration: 19/04/2007
Primary sponsor: VU University Medical Center, Department of Public and Occupational Health
Public title: The Amsterdam Graded Activity Study.
Scientific title: Graded activity for low back pain in occupational health: a randomized controlled trial. - AGAS
Date of first enrolment: 1/4/1999
Target sample size: 134
Recruitment status: complete
URL:  http://www.trialregister.nl/trialreg/admin/rctview.asp?TC=952
Study type:  intervention
Study design:  Randomised: Yes; Masking: Single; Control: Active; Group: Parallel; Type: 2 or more arms, randomized  
Countries of recruitment
The Netherlands
Contacts
Name: W.   Mechelen, van
Address:  VU Medical Center, Department of Social Medicine, P.O. Box 7057 , De Boelelaan 1117 1007 MB Amsterdam The Netherlands
Telephone: +31 (0)20 4448410
Email: w.vanmechelen@vumc.nl
Affiliation: 
Name: W.   Mechelen, van
Address:  VU Medical Center, Department of Social Medicine, P.O. Box 7057 , De Boelelaan 1117 1007 MB Amsterdam The Netherlands
Telephone: +31 (0)20 4448410
Email: w.vanmechelen@vumc.nl
Affiliation: 
Key inclusion & exclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria: 1. Sick leave because of non-specific low back pain. This could be either full or partial sick leave;

2. A minimum duration of the complaints of 4 weeks in succession.

Exclusion criteria: 1. Radiation below the knee in combination with signs of nerve root compression;

2. Cardiovascular contra-indications for physical activity, as checked by the Physical Activities Readiness Questionnaire;

3. A conflict between worker and employer with legal involvement;

4. Pregnancy.


Age minimum:
Age maximum:
Gender:
Health Condition(s) or Problem(s) studied
Low back pain (LBP), Sick leave, Pain, Occupational health, Physical exercise

Intervention(s)
Graded activity: The graded activity intervention consisted of two sessions of physical exercises a week until full return to regular work was achieved. The intervention was supervised by skilled physiotherapists. During the course of the intervention the load of the exercises was gradually increased towards a preset exercise goal, following a time-contingent exercise scheme. The exercise goals were connected with return-to-work goals. The intervention had a maximum duration of 3 months.




Usual care: The workers, who were allocated to the usual care group received the usual guidance by the occupational physician. There were no special requirements for other treatments except that the workers were not allowed to attend treatment sessions at the same physiotherapy practice where the workers of the graded activity group were treated.
Primary Outcome(s)
1. Days of sick leave due to low back pain;

2. Disability;

3. Pain.
Secondary Outcome(s)
Pain-related fears.
Secondary ID(s)
ISRCTN46141261
Source(s) of Monetary Support
Dutch Health Care Insurance Board (CVZ, independent governement organisation)
Secondary Sponsor(s)
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