The Pacific Northwest Evidence-based Practice Center (PNW-EPC) at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) is partnered with AAPM for the development of an evidence-based clinical practice guideline on the assessment and management of acute low back pain. This project is supported by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award [FAIN] totaling $1,999,980.00 with 100 percent funded by FDA/HHS. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by FDA/HHS, or the U.S. Government.

Click here to see the draft protocol document in need of review and comment.

A methodologically rigorous systematic review will be conducted by the PNW-EPC to provide evidence for the guideline development. At this point in the process, the Draft Protocol has been reviewed by the FDA, AAPM consultants, and three independent multidisciplinary panels (which included patients or patient advocates), and input from these groups is reflected in the draft. We are now requesting feedback on the protocol for this systematic review via public comment through April 8, 2024. Comments will be aggregated and reviewed by the EPC team and used to inform the finalization of the protocol and ensure that questions, scope, and methods are clearly described. You may choose to comment anonymously or provide your contact information for follow up. All feedback will be kept confidential.

Please provide feedback on the Draft Protocol using the form questions. The main reason we are seeking feedback is to confirm that we are on the right track with the questions we plan to answer using systematic review methods, ensuring that the scientific research informs the guidelines for the best possible care. We are NOT looking for you to provide answers to the key questions listed in the Draft Protocol or for what clinical recommendations should be.