PRioRTI: Preventing chronic pain after recent road traffic injury

About this trial

PRioRTI (PReventing chronic pain after whiplash Road Traffic Injury) is a clinical trial testing whether a short course of the medication pregabalin can help prevent chronic neck or upper back pain after a road traffic injury.

Each year 10,000s of Australians experience a road traffic injury, and many develop ongoing pain. This trial is assessing whether starting a short course of pregabalin soon after injury can improve recovery. The medication is already approved and commonly used for other conditions. Half of participants will receive pregabalin and half will receive a placebo (sugar) pill. Neither participants nor the research team will know which one is being given but they will be monitored by a medical practitioner regardless.

Who can take part

You may be eligible if you:

• Are aged 18–70 years
• Have neck or upper back pain after a road traffic injury
• Were injured within the last 14 days (the first dose must be taken within 4 days of injury)
• Have experienced pain of at least 5 out of 10 at some point since the injury
• Were not admitted to hospital as an inpatient
• Are able to provide informed consent and follow the study procedures

People with certain conditions (for example serious spinal pathology, neurological problems, current chronic pain treatment, pregnancy, or certain mental health conditions) are not able to take part.

What is involved

If you take part you will:

• Sign a consent form and complete a short survey about your health
• Take the trial medication (or placebo) twice a day for 6 weeks
• Receive an advice booklet and any other usual care recommended by your doctor
• Have regular telephone follow-up with a University of Queensland trial nurse or doctor over approximately 7 weeks
• Complete online follow-up surveys over the next 12 months so we can understand your recovery

There is no cost to you and will not affect your usual medical care.

How to take part

People can join the trial through by contacting the research team directly. If you think you may be eligible, please use the details below so they can explain the next steps and check eligibility OR fill out the following expression of interest survey.

Complete expression of interest

Contact

Contact for public queries:
Ms Lisa Ferguson
Clinical Trials Manager, RECOVER Injury Research Centre
E: lisa.ferguson@uq.edu.au
T: +61 7 4040 2635

Important information

Participation is completely voluntary. You can withdraw at any time without affecting your usual care.

This project has ethics approval: Project ID 106754; HREC/2024/MNHA/106754 – PReventing chronic pain after whiplash Road Traffic Injury (PRioRTI).

Researchers

Professor Michele Sterling Chief Investigator View profile

Dr Scott Farrell Investigator View profile

Ms Lisa Ferguson Clinical Trials Manager View profile

If you have questions, contact the research team using the details above.

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