Skip to main content

Table 1 Inclusion and Exclusion criteria for patient recruitment in the PACE Plus trial

From: Discontinuation of the PACE Plus trial: problems in patient recruitment in general practice

Inclusion criteria

Exclusion criteria

 • Age between 18 and 60 years;

 • Low back pain of less than 6 weeks duration;

 • Primary complaint of pain between the 12th rib and buttock crease;

 • Experiencing a new episode of low back pain, preceded by a period of at least 1 month without low back pain;

 • Low back pain severe enough to cause at least moderate pain (≥4 on 0–10 numerical rating scale (NRS)).

• Known or suspected serious spinal pathology;

• Currently taking recommended regular doses of analgesics, including paracetamol or diclofenac;

• Spinal surgery within the preceding 6 months;

• Serious comorbidities preventing prescription of paracetamol or diclofenac;

• Use of medication interacting with paracetamol or diclofenac;

• Known intolerance for paracetamol or diclofenac;

• Pregnancy or planning to become pregnant during the treatment period.