Why some people with disc-related low back pain don't improve with rehabilitation
The contributions of neural control and mechanosensation to rehabilitation induced spine muscle recovery
['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO · NIH-11327335
This project compares brain activity, nerve function, and muscle health in people with chronic disc-related low back pain who do or do not get better from exercise-based rehab.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (LA JOLLA, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11327335 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
If you have chronic low back pain from a disc injury, researchers will compare people who respond well to exercise rehabilitation with those who don't. They will use tests such as brain activation recordings/imaging, peripheral nerve studies, muscle imaging and biopsies, and muscle activation measurements during exercises. The team aims to pinpoint whether problems arise from the brain, the nerves, or the muscle itself and how those issues affect recovery. Results are intended to guide more personalized rehab or new treatments for people who currently do not improve.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults with chronic low back pain due to a lumbar disc injury who have undergone or plan to undergo structured exercise-based rehabilitation.
Not a fit: People with low back pain not related to disc injury, those with only short-term acute pain, or individuals unable to undergo nerve or imaging tests may not receive direct benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help doctors tailor rehabilitation and develop treatments to restore spine muscle function and reduce disability from chronic low back pain.
How similar studies have performed: Prior studies have documented muscle and neural changes in low back pain, but directly comparing brain, nerve, and muscle contributors in rehab responders versus non-responders is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
LA JOLLA, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO — LA JOLLA, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: WARD, SAMUEL RICHARD — UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO
- Study coordinator: WARD, SAMUEL RICHARD
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 below.