Table 1 Eligibility Criteria

Patients with chronic (≥3 months) or recurrent (≥3 episodes in previous 12 months) LBP of mechanical origin with/without radiation to the lower limb

Clinically diagnosed primary sleep disorder e.g sleep apnoea, primary insomnia

Males/females between 18-70 years

Currently or having received treatment for CLBP within previous 3 months

No spinal surgery within the previous 12 months

Patients scoring <10 indicating minimum disability on the Oswestry Disability Index

Patients scoring ≥10 indicating moderate disability on the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI).

Red flags indicating serious spinal pathology, e.g. cancer, cauda equina lesion

Patients deemed suitable by their GP/hospital consultant to carry out an exercise programme

Radicular pain indicative of nerve root compression

Patients willing to attend for an 8-week treatment programme of exercise classes

Patients diagnosed with severe spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis, fibromyalgia

Fluency in English (verbal and written)

History of systemic/inflammatory disease, e.g. rheumatoid arthritis

Access to a telephone (for follow-up support)

Patients with any confounding conditions such as a neurological disorder or currently receiving treatment for cancer

Patients with acute (<6 weeks) or subacute LBP (6-12 weeks), provided that they have experienced <3 LBP episodes during previous 12 months

Unstable angina/uncontrolled cardiac dysrhythmias/severe aortic stenosis/acute systemic infection accompanied by fever

Medico-legal issues

Pregnancy