LOW BACK PAIN

This study looks at whether a quick patient interview and physical exam can help doctors identify when chronic low back pain comes from the sacroiliac joint. Researchers will compare these findings with a diagnostic injection to confirm the source of pain. The goal is to improve …

This study tests whether a nerve block called an erector spinae plane block (ESPB) can quickly reduce low back pain in adults visiting the emergency department. About 62 participants will receive either the ESPB or a placebo injection. Researchers will track pain levels for up to…

This study tests a health system program called STEPPT that trains doctors to educate Hispanic patients with back or neck pain about the benefits of physical therapy. Patients also get culturally tailored handouts, videos, and help scheduling appointments. The goal is to see if t…

This study looks at whether Pilates exercises can reduce low back pain in women who recently gave birth. Researchers will measure pain levels and pressure sensitivity in 48 women aged 20-30 with ongoing back pain. The goal is to find a safe, drug-free way to ease discomfort after…

This study looks at whether better teamwork between your doctor, physical therapist, and workplace health services can help people with low back pain get back to normal life sooner. About 500 adults with recent or returning low back pain will either get usual care or this coordin…

This study is testing a program from Denmark, called GLA:D Back, for people with persistent low back pain. The goal is to see if it works in Canada and help patients manage their pain better. About 2200 people with low back pain lasting at least one month will take part.

This study looks at whether different exercise approaches can reduce low back pain and improve daily function in people with idiopathic scoliosis. Researchers will measure changes in back muscle tissue thickness, pain levels, and quality of life. The study involves 30 participant…

This study tests whether doing exercises guided by a smartphone or computer (telerehabilitation) works better than following a paper exercise plan for people with low back pain. About 30 adults with ongoing back pain will be assigned to one of the two groups. Researchers will mea…

This study looks at whether exercise, posture tips, and advice to stand more can help office workers with low back pain. Sixty adults who work at a computer at least 4 hours a day will be split into three groups: one gets exercise plus education, another gets education only, and …

This study tests three home-based programs for people with long-term muscle or joint pain (like back pain or arthritis) who also sleep poorly. Participants will be randomly assigned to exercise, cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia, or both, with online coaching for 12 month…

This study compares music therapy using Music Care tablets to a gas mixture (EMONO) for reducing anxiety in 128 people with low back pain undergoing a CT-guided spinal injection. Participants will be randomly assigned to listen to music or inhale the gas during the procedure. The…

This study looks at how the mind-body practice of QiGong changes brain activity to help people with chronic low back pain feel better. Researchers will enroll 60 adults with ongoing low back pain and measure changes in pain intensity, body awareness, and mindfulness after QiGong …

This study compares two treatments for chronic low back pain: diathermy (a heat-based therapy) and dry needling (thin needles inserted into muscle). Sixty adults aged 18 to 65 with low back pain lasting over 6 weeks will receive two treatment sessions. Researchers will measure pa…

This study tests whether a device called TENS, which sends mild electrical pulses through the skin, can safely reduce pain and improve daily function in adults with long-term low back pain. Forty participants will use TENS five times a week for four weeks. Researchers will track …

This study tests whether a special type of talk-and-movement therapy (cognitive functional therapy) works better than Pilates exercises when both are done online from home. About 200 older adults with chronic low back pain will join. The goal is to see which approach reduces disa…

This study looks at whether wearing a lumbar brace for 4 weeks after an ER visit for low back pain can lower pain, improve spine function, and reduce the need for painkillers. About 152 adults aged 18-65 in Edmonton will be enrolled. The goal is to find a safer, non-drug option f…

This study looks at whether adding a foam pad to a standard lumbar belt makes it more comfortable for healthy adults and people with low back pain. Researchers will measure comfort on a scale from 0 to 10. The goal is to see if a small change can improve how the belt feels during…

This study tests whether watching a short video that explains how TENS (a device that uses mild electrical pulses) works can increase its pain-relieving effect in people with acute low back pain. About 40 adults with moderate to severe pain will receive standard physical therapy …

This study looks at whether a special low-weight workout using blood flow restriction cuffs can help teenage rowers with mild or recurring low back pain. Researchers want to see if this method is as effective as heavy lifting for improving performance and preventing re-injury, bu…

This study looks at whether adding Osteopathic Manipulative Therapy (OMT) — a hands-on treatment where a doctor gently moves muscles and joints — to standard VA care can improve pain and daily function for veterans and service members with chronic low back pain. About 48 adults w…

This study tests a non-drug approach for people with knee osteoarthritis and low back pain. Participants will have a cuff on one thigh that briefly stops blood flow for 5 minutes at a time, repeated over 2 weeks. The goal is to see if this improves walking speed, muscle strength,…

This study tests a team-based rehab program called Revita for people with long-term back or spine problems. About 90 adults will take part to see if the program reduces pain and improves daily function. The goal is to help patients move better and feel better without relying on l…

This study looks at whether adding biofeedback to standard back exercises can reduce pain and improve balance and daily function in people with chronic low back pain. About 110 adults aged 30-65 with ongoing pain will be randomly assigned to receive either standard therapy or the…

This study compares ibuprofen alone versus ibuprofen plus a short course of dexamethasone for people with sudden low back pain that shoots into the leg. About 132 adults visiting the emergency department will be randomly assigned to receive either dexamethasone or a placebo for t…

This study compares two exercise approaches—reformer Pilates and conventional physiotherapy—for people with long-term low back pain. Researchers will measure changes in pain, daily function, and quality of life after treatment. The goal is to find which method works better for ma…

This study tests a wearable belt that tracks muscle activity and gives real-time feedback through a phone app during core exercises. About 40 adults with chronic lower back pain will use the belt along with standard care, or just standard care, for 8 weeks. The goal is to see if …

This study compares Pilates exercises to conventional therapy for young adults aged 18-25 with non-specific low back pain. Over six weeks, participants will do either Pilates or standard exercises three times a week. Researchers will measure changes in posture, core strength, and…

This study tests whether having a physical therapist in the emergency department can help people with low back pain get faster care. About 140 adults with recent low back pain will either get usual care or see a physical therapist during their ER visit. The goal is to see if this…

This study is testing a full-body suit called EXOPULSE Mollii that sends mild electrical pulses to many muscles at once. The goal is to see if it can reduce pain and disability in 30 adults with chronic low back pain. Participants will try both the active suit and a sham (inactiv…

This study compares two non-drug treatments for chronic low back pain: Cognitive Functional Therapy (CFT) and Kinetic Control Training (KCT). About 70 adults aged 19-39 with pain lasting at least 3 months will attend sessions three times a week for eight weeks. Researchers will m…

This study looks at whether a special taping technique on the lower back can reduce pain and improve daily function in people with long-term low back pain. Sixty adults aged 18 to 65 with nonspecific chronic low back pain will receive either a fascia-focused tape or a standard mu…

This study compares two types of exercise—moderate-load eccentric core exercises and Pilates—to see which better reduces pain and improves movement in people with long-term low back pain. About 44 adults aged 18 to 45 with non-specific low back pain will take part in an 8-week su…

This study tests whether combining core-strengthening exercises with a hands-on muscle therapy can reduce low back pain, improve core endurance, and boost quality of life in women who gave birth within the last six months. Forty women with moderate pain will be assigned to receiv…

This early-stage study tests whether a medicine made from horse chestnut extract (sodium aescinate) can safely reduce pain in adults with long-term low back pain. About 40 people will take either the drug or a placebo for a short time, and researchers will measure changes in pain…

This study tests whether a synthetic THC drug (dronabinol) can safely reduce pain in people with chronic low back pain. About 75 adults will take either the drug or a placebo daily for 8 weeks. The goal is to see if the drug is safe enough for larger future studies.

This study looks at whether adding diaphragm relaxation exercises to standard spinal stabilization exercises can reduce pain and disability in people with chronic low back pain. Researchers will measure pain, quality of life, and muscle endurance in 42 adults aged 18-65. The goal…

This study looks at whether having a short daily talk with a doctor, in addition to standard physical therapy, can help people with low back pain feel less pain and fear of moving. About 74 adults aged 18-65 with subacute or chronic back pain will take part. Researchers will meas…

This study tests whether massage therapy can reduce low back pain in healthcare workers aged 30-65. Sixty participants with chronic pain will receive massages targeting muscles around the hip and lower back. The goal is to see if massage can relieve pain and improve daily functio…

This study compares a personalized mobile health program to standard exercise therapy for people with chronic low back pain. Researchers want to see if the app reduces disability and pain more effectively and at a lower cost. About 146 adults aged 18 to 65 with back pain lasting …

This study follows 200 people with chronic low back pain who are scheduled for a procedure called basivertebral nerve ablation (BVNA). The goal is to see how much pain and function improve over two years and to figure out which patients get the best results. Participants will ans…

This study tests a new way to manage low back pain in primary care. Doctors, physical therapists, and occupational therapists work together to give each patient a personalized care plan. About 500 adults with low back pain will take part, and their progress will be tracked for 12…

This study tests a new type of spinal cord stimulation (called TVP-SCS) in 70 adults with long-term back and leg pain that hasn't responded to other treatments. The goal is to see if this approach can reduce pain by at least 50% after 3 months. Participants will use a commerciall…

This study compares two stretching techniques—post-isometric relaxation and active isolated stretch—to see which better reduces pain, improves hip movement, and lowers disability in people with piriformis syndrome. Forty adults aged 20 to 55 with buttock pain that may travel down…

This study follows 211 pregnant women to understand why some develop lasting back or pelvic pain after childbirth. Researchers will measure body awareness, fear of movement, and inflammation levels, comparing women with and without pain. The goal is to identify new predictors tha…

This study aims to better understand low back and neck pain by comparing the health history and movement abilities of people with and without these conditions. Researchers will use wearable motion sensors and questionnaires to identify patterns that could predict injury risk or h…

This study looks at whether getting a phone call or a text message helps people with long-term back pain stick with a mobile health app. About 258 people will use the app for pain education and hypnosis. Some will get extra calls or texts, while others only get standard app alert…

This study looks at whether follow-up physiotherapy after spine surgery can be done over the phone instead of in person. Researchers will compare disability and quality of life in 200 patients who had lumbar spine surgery. The goal is to see if phone follow-ups save time and redu…

This study looks at how a device that delivers a cold puff to the ear might help people with long-term low back pain. Researchers will use brain scans to see if this treatment changes how the brain processes pain. The study involves 60 adults who have had back pain for at least 6…

This study is developing and testing an Italian version of a questionnaire called the Waddell Disability Index, which measures how much chronic low back pain affects daily life. Researchers will enroll 115 adults who have had low back pain for at least 3 months. Participants will…

This study looks at how common neck and low back pain is among medical students at the University of the West Indies, Mona. It also checks what students know about spine health and tests if a simple exercise program can help reduce their pain. About 1,000 students will take part,…

This study aims to understand why some pregnant women develop long-lasting pelvic and lower back pain. Researchers will follow 192 women who have been pregnant before, measuring their body awareness, stress levels, and signs of inflammation. The goal is to find clues that could l…

This study aims to find out which factors—like physical, psychological, or social—predict whether a person with chronic low back pain will benefit from a multidisciplinary rehab program. Researchers will follow 333 adults with pain lasting at least three months, tracking their pr…

This study looks at how smoothly people with chronic low back pain can move their spine before and after a rehabilitation program. Using small motion sensors placed on the body, researchers will measure movement quality, not just range of motion. The goal is to find a new way to …

This study looks at different types of low back pain in 200 adults with ankylosing spondylitis. Researchers want to see how these pain types affect daily function and quality of life. Participants will fill out questionnaires during one visit. The goal is to better understand pai…

This study looks at how mindfulness meditation can help people with long-term low back pain who also take opioids. Researchers want to understand which brain changes are linked to pain relief. 150 adults aged 18-65 with chronic low back pain and at least 3 months of opioid use wi…

This study aims to use ultrasound imaging and machine learning to better understand low back pain by looking at a layer of tissue called the thoracolumbar fascia. Researchers will compare images from people with acute, chronic, or no back pain. They will also test two treatments—…

This study looks at how the thoughts and beliefs of people with low back pain and their physical therapists influence how much patients improve. About 90 adults with chronic low back pain will receive standard physical therapy including spinal manipulation, exercise, and educatio…