Military back pain study uses wearable tech to predict recovery
NCT ID NCT05944354
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This observational study will enroll 400 military personnel and civilians to compare motion and health history between those with low back or neck pain and those with healthy spines. Participants wear a motion monitor and complete questionnaires over one year. The goal is to develop digital biomarkers that predict return to duty or work and identify risk of reinjury.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could lead to better tools for predicting recovery and reinjury risk in military personnel with back or neck pain.
- What could go wrong
- This is an observational study, not a treatment trial. It may not produce clear predictors or directly improve outcomes.
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.
- Participants
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About 400 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Sep 2022
- Expected to finish
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Dec 2032
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.
Who is studied
There are 4 different study populations: Control, Low Back Pain, Neck Pain, and Operational Air Crew
- Ages
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18 to 64 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: Control Cohort * Ages 18-64 * Able to stand for at least 25 minutes * Able to speak, read, and understand English Low Back Pain Cohort * Age 18-64 * Able to stand for at least 15 minutes * Able to speak, read, and understand English * Within the last 3 months, an episode of low back pain lasting longer than 7 days and/or seeing a health care provider for low back pain and/or on duty/work restriction due to low back pain. Neck Pain Cohort * Ages 18-64 * Able to stand for at least 15 minutes * Able to speak, read, and understand English * Within the last 3 months, an episode of neck pain lasting longer than 7 days and/or seeing a health care provider for neck pain and/or on duty/work restriction due to neck pain. Operational Air crew Cohort * Ages 18-55 * Able to stand for at least 25 minutes * Able to speak, read, and understand English * Ability to participate in cervical and back endurance training programs as part of standard operations Exclusion Criteria: Control Cohort * Known pregnancy * Within the last 3 months, back or neck pain lasting longer than 7 days and/or seeing a health care provider for low back or neck pain and/or on duty/work restriction due to low back or neck pain. * Actively being treated by a medical provider for concussion or traumatic brain injury * Known severe spine curvature or deformity requiring medical treatment (e.g. scoliosis) * Has been diagnosed by a medical provider with severe vertigo, fainting, narcolepsy, or balance disorders with high risk for falling * Any known fractures within the last 3 months that will interfere with the motion assessment * History of spine fracture * Current condition requiring a bracing or immobilization of the spine * History of spine surgery (e.g. fusion, micro-discectomy, or artificial disc replacement) * History of brain or spine cancer * Currently or within the last 90 days, been treated for cancer with chemotherapy or radiation therapy * Known severe bone loss or osteoporosis requiring medical treatment and physician-recommended physical restrictions * Current open wounds on the body where the harnesses will be placed on the neck, head, back, or hips * Current osteomyelitis or spine infection * Any other reason that a treating physician, researcher, or participant determines it is unsafe for a patient to perform test Low Back Pain Cohort * Known pregnancy * Current low back pain is the result of a traumatic injury (wreck, fall, etc.) that occurred within the last 3 months OR is positive for spine instability with imaging * Has spinal fusion across 4 or more lumbar disc levels * Currently being treated by a medical provider for concussion or traumatic brain injury * Known severe spine curvature or deformity requiring medical treatment (e.g. scoliosis) * Has been diagnosed by a medical provider with severe vertigo, fainting, narcolepsy, or balance disorders with high risk for falling * Any known fractures within the last 3 months that will interfere with the motion assessment * Any known spinal instability or spine fractures within the last 6 months * Current condition requiring a bracing or immobilization of the spine * History of brain or spine cancer * Currently or within the last 90 days, been treated for cancer with chemotherapy or radiation therapy * Known severe bone loss or osteoporosis requiring medical treatment and physician-recommended physical restrictions * Current open wounds on the body where the harnesses will be placed on the back or hips * Current spine infection or osteomyelitis * Any other reason that a treating physician, researcher, or participant determines it is unsafe for participant to perform test Neck Pain Cohort * Known pregnancy * Current neck pain is the result of a traumatic injury (wreck, fall, etc.) that occurred within the last 3 months OR is positive for spine instability with imaging * Has spinal fusion across 4 or more cervical disc levels * Has an occipital-cervical fusion * Currently being treated by a medical provider for concussion or traumatic brain injury * Known severe spine curvature or deformity requiring medical treatment (e.g. scoliosis) * Has been diagnosed by a medical provider with severe vertigo, fainting, narcolepsy, or balance disorders with high risk for falling * Any known fractures within the last 3 months that will interfere with the motion assessment * Any known spinal instability or spine fractures within the last 6 months * Current condition requiring a bracing or immobilization of the spine * History of brain or spine cancer * Currently or within the last 90 days, been treated for cancer with chemotherapy or radiation therapy * Known severe bone loss or osteoporosis requiring medical treatment and physician-recommended physical restrictions * Current open wounds on the body where the harnesses will be placed on the neck or head * Current spine infection or osteomyelitis * Any other reason that a treating physician, researcher, or participant determines it is unsafe for participant to perform test Operational Air crew Cohort * Known pregnancy * Current neck and/or low back pain is the result of a traumatic injury (wreck, fall, etc.) that occurred within the last 3 months OR is positive for spine instability with imaging * Has spinal fusion across 4 or more lumbar disc levels * Currently being treated by a medical provider for concussion or traumatic brain injury * Known severe spine curvature or deformity requiring medical treatment (e.g. scoliosis) * Has been diagnosed by a medical provider with severe vertigo, fainting, narcolepsy, or balance disorders with high risk for falling * Any known fractures within the last 3 months that will interfere with the motion assessment * Any known spinal instability or spine fractures within the last 6 months * Current condition requiring a bracing or immobilization of the spine * History of brain or spine cancer * Currently or within the last 90 days, been treated for cancer with chemotherapy or radiation therapy * Known severe bone loss or osteoporosis requiring medical treatment and physician-recommended physical restrictions * Current open wounds on the body where the harnesses will be placed on the back or hips * Current spine infection or osteomyelitis * Any other reason that a treating physician, researcher, or participant determines it is unsafe for participant to perform test
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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.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The places running it
6 sites. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
The full official record for this study. This one lists no contact details, but it is the first place any would appear.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Holloman Air Force Base
Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico, 88330, United States
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Joint Base Langley- Eustis Air Force Base
Langley Air Force Base, Virginia, 23665, United States
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Luke Air Force Base
Luke Air Force Base, Arizona, 85309, United States
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Seymour-Johnson Air Force Base
Seymour-Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina, 27530, United States
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The Ohio State University
Columbus, Ohio, 43210, United States
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Wright-Patterson Air Force Research Laboratory
Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, 45433, United States
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