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 an oral medicine can help prevent chronic neck or upper back pain after a road traffic injury. This particular medicine is currently used in Australia for esablished nerve pain. We are looking to see if it also help prevent ongoing pain after neck and/or whiplash injuries.

When people experience neck and/or whiplash from a road traffic crash, whilst some recover quickly, others can have pain that persists for a long time. This trial is assessing whether starting a short course of an oral medicine soon after injury can improve recovery. The medication is already approved and commonly used for other conditions. Half of participants will receive an oral medicine 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. All study visits are done via telehealth and the trial medication is posted to your home.

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

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.

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.

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

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).