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 now recruiting. The research team is also looking for General Practitioners who are interested in research to be involved with the recruitment of patients with sciatica into the OASIS study.

The intention of the trial was to prevent recurrences of low back pain through determining if a progressive individualised walking and education program is more effective when compared to usual care, in preventing recurrence of low back pain in people recently recovered from an episode of non-specific low back pain. Participants were randomly allocated to one of two groups. One group received a walking and advice intervention delivered by a physiotherapist (3 face to face/video conferencing and 3 over the phone consultations, at no cost) and the other group received usual care which does not involve any intervention as part of the trial. https://australian.physio/research/prf/translation/walkback-trial

The OPAL trial, led by the University of Sydney, is a world-first placebo-controlled study investigating the effectiveness of opioids for acute spinal pain. Despite widespread opioid prescriptions for back and neck pain, there is limited evidence supporting their benefits. The trial recruited nearly 350 participants from primary care and emergency departments, randomly assigning them to a six-week course of either opioids or a placebo. Results showed opioids were no more effective than placebo for pain relief, and those taking opioids had a higher risk of misuse after 12 months. Researchers concluded that opioids should not be recommended for acute spinal pain, even as a last resort. The study provides critical evidence to update treatment guidelines and reduce unnecessary opioid prescriptions. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(23)00404-X/abstract The aim of this project is to develop clinical practice guidelines for physical activity in people across all ages living with moderate-to-severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) in Australia. A plan will also be developed for the effective implementation of these guidelines. The first stage involves evaluating the fit of the 2020 WHO physical activity and sedentary behaviour guidelines for people living with disability to those living with a moderate-to-severe TBI. This includes considering the evidence available regarding physical activity in TBI, preferences for physical activity, perspectives of relevant stakeholders and the feasibility of guideline implementation. Stage two involves auditing brain injury rehabilitation services across Australia to understand how physical activity is delivered and promoted to identify current practice and where practice inconsistencies exist. The third stage involves adapting the WHO guidelines into national clinical practice guidelines for people living with TBI, informed from stages one and two. The final stage involves the development of a plan for implementation of these national practice guidelines based on the identification of barriers and facilitators. Principle Investigator: A/Prof Leanne Hassett Co-Investigators: Prof Gavin Williams (UniMelb); Prof Cathie Sherrington (USyd); A/Prof Sean Tweedy (UQ); Prof Luke Wolfenden (UniNewcastle); Prof Maria Crotty (Flinders); Prof Kirsten Howard (USyd); Dr Abby Haynes (USyd); Emeritus Prof Adrian Bauman (USyd); A/Prof Grahame Simpson (USyd); A/Prof Adam Scheinberg (MCRI); Prof Anne Tiedemann (USyd); Gabrielle Vassallo (consumer representative); Nick Rushworth (BIA) Collaborating Organisations: Brain Injury Australia, Connectivity TBI; icare NSW; Heads Together for ABI Research team: Dr Liam Johnson (UniMelb); Sakina Chagpar (USyd); Belinda Wang (USyd) Funding: MRFF 2020 Traumatic Brain Injury Mission, Stream 2-incubator 2021-2023.