Spinal movement problems and early low back pain recovery
Official title: Significance of Spinal Movement Impairments in Acute Low Back Pain
Funded at Washington University · NIH-11296839 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at whether certain spine movement problems in adults with new low back pain affect how quickly and how well they recover, and whether treating those problems helps.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project start | April 14, 2023 |
| Project end | February 29, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $605,716 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HD108240-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11296839 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adults aged 18–60 with recent (acute) low back pain and no prior history of chronic low back pain.
✕Less likely to help
People with long-standing chronic low back pain, recent major spinal surgery, or other conditions that prevent safe participation are unlikely to benefit or be eligible.
What this research studies
If you are 18–60 and have newly onset low back pain without prior chronic issues, researchers will follow you over time to see how your spine moves and how your pain and function change. They will measure specific spinal movement patterns, collect questionnaires about symptoms, function, mood and treatments, review imaging, and perform clinical exams. The team will also deliver short-term treatments aimed at any identified movement impairments to see immediate effects on pain and function. All participants will be tracked to learn which movement problems persist and which predict slower recovery.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help identify movement problems that, when treated early, reduce the chance of developing long-lasting low back pain.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have linked movement patterns to chronic low back pain, but applying these measures prospectively in acute cases and testing early targeted treatment is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
-
Washington University
Saint Louis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Vandillen, Linda R — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Vandillen, Linda R
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.