OPTIMISE Trial: Improving treatment for chronic neck pain after road traffic injury

Why this study?

After a road traffic crash many people recover from neck pain within a few months. For others the pain, stiffness and disability continue longer and can make everyday life, work, and mood harder.

A treatment program called StressModex adds practical stress-management skills to exercise treatment. It has helped people with recent road traffic neck and spine injuries recover better. The OPTIMISE study is checking whether a similar approach is practical and acceptable for people whose neck pain has lasted more than three months.

About this trial

OPTIMISE is a feasibility trial. This means we are testing whether the combined physiotherapy and stress-management program (StressModex) can be delivered smoothly to people with longer-term neck pain after a road traffic injury, and whether people find it acceptable.

The study is funded by the Medical Research Future Fund.

How to register your interest

Recruitment is expected to open in early 2027. To register your interest now, email the research team and we will contact you when the study opens.

Register your interest

Who can take part?

You may be able to join if you:

• are aged between 18 and 70 years
• have had neck pain and related disability for more than 3 months but less than 5 years after a road traffic injury
• have at least moderate disability from the pain (we will check this)
• do not have certain serious medical or mental health conditions (also checked at screening).

Recruitment is expected to open in early 2027.

What happens if I join?

• You will receive six free physiotherapy sessions over six weeks.
• You will be randomly allocated to either the StressModex program (exercise plus practical stress-management strategies) or standard guideline-recommended exercise.
• You will complete a few short online surveys and may be invited to a brief interview.
• You will receive a $50 gift card for each set of assessments you complete.

Taking part is voluntary. You can stop at any time without any effect on your usual care.

Contact

Dr William McCann
Trial Coordinator, RECOVER Injury Research Centre
E: optimise1@uq.edu.au

Important information

Ethics approval is being finalised by The University of Queensland Human Research Ethics Committee.

Researchers

Professor Michele Sterling Chief Investigator View profile

Dr Rachel Elphinston Investigator View profile

Dr Christopher Papic Investigator View profile

Dr William McCann Trial Coordinator View profile

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