Back pain breakthrough? biofeedback training aims to fix walking in seniors
NCT ID NCT06782919
First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 26, 2026
Summary
This study aimed to see if a four-session biofeedback training program could improve trunk control and walking in older adults with and without chronic low back pain. Researchers planned to compare 20 older adults with back pain to 20 healthy volunteers, measuring walking biomechanics before and after training. However, the study was withdrawn before any participants were enrolled, so no data were collected.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- biofeedback-based trunk control training
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could point toward a simple, non-drug training program to improve walking and reduce back pain in older adults.
- What could go wrong
- The study was withdrawn before enrolling anyone, so no results exist. The training is very short (4 sessions) and may not produce lasting changes.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Expected to start
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May 2025
An estimate. Start dates often move.
- Expected to finish
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Sep 2026
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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60 to 85 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Accepted
You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria (Healthy volunteers): * Men and women, ages 60 - 85 years * English fluent * Able to perform activities such as walking, standing, sitting, bending, or lifting without assistance * Low back pain-free for at least 1 months, characterized by a pain numerical rating scale of \<2 (out of 10), and/or \<5 (out of 24) on the Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire * Able to walk without assistance on surfaces of brick, sidewalk, dirt, grass, treadmill, and flat walkway Inclusion Criteria (Patient group): * Men and women, ages 60 - 85 years * English fluent * Current chronic low back pain (lasting at least 1 months) that care was sought for at BIDMC within the past year. * Pain numerical rating scale of 2-7 (out of 10) and/or 5-19 (out of 24) on the Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire * Able to perform activities such as walking, standing, sitting, bending, or lifting without assistance * Able to walk without assistance on surfaces of brick, sidewalk, dirt, grass, treadmill, and flat walkway Exclusion Criteria (all subjects): * Self-reported conditions that might alter spine biomechanics, such as a history of traumatic spine injury or spinal surgery; severe scoliosis which needed brace or surgical treatment; neuromuscular conditions such as Parkinson's disease, hemiplegia, symptomatic spinal stenosis, multiple Sclerosis, or muscular dystrophy. * Back pain with confirmed diagnosis of underlying diseases or structural anomalies such as rheumatoid arthritis, meningitis, or cancer. * Severe LBP of greater than 7 (out of maximum 10) on self-report pain VAS. (Subjects otherwise eligible and interested will be followed up weekly and scheduled if LBP subsides to below 7/10 on pain VAS). * Experienced dizziness, lightheadedness, vertigo, or imbalance within the past three months that occurs frequently (3 times or more) or two or more falls in the past year. * Use of narcotics * Latex allergies * Visual problems that are not corrected by glasses/contact lenses. * Self-reported recent musculoskeletal injury that is currently severely affecting normal activity or movement. Examples of this could include sprains, strains, dislocations, or fractures that prevent one from walking, standing, sitting, bending, or lifting in a normal manner. * A score ≥10 on the Short Blessed Test, suggesting possible impaired cognitive function or dementia. * Two\* or more of the following self-reported limits in physical function: * Needing help in activities of daily living (ADLs, such as walking across a small room, bathing, toileting, transferring from bed to chair); * Unable to walk up and down one flight of stairs without help; * Unable to walk half a mile without help. * Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) score \<4\* No exclusion criteria shall be based on race, ethnicity, or sex. We will assign subjects to men and women groups for recruitment purposes based on their assigned sex at birth.
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Genom att skicka in godkänner du våra Användarvillkor
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
Boston, Massachusetts, 02215, United States
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