Osteopathic touch tested against placebo for back pain relief
NCT ID NCT02034864
First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 26, 2026
Summary
This study tested whether a standardized osteopathic manipulation treatment works better than a placebo (light touch) for people with sub-acute or chronic non-specific low back pain. 400 adults aged 18-65 received 6 sessions over 12 weeks. The main goal was to see if the real treatment improved daily function more than the placebo at 3 months.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- osteopathic manipulative treatment
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could provide a standardized, non-drug option for managing low back pain and improving daily function.
- What could go wrong
- This is a completed trial comparing two manual therapies, so results may show no difference from placebo. The effect may be modest and not apply to all types of back pain.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
CHU Cochin
Paris, 75014, France