Comparing health and motion in people with low back and neck pain to healthy individuals
The Spine Phenome Project: Enabling Technology for Personalized Medicine
This study looks at how people with low back and neck pain move and feel compared to healthy individuals to see if we can learn more about their conditions and improve treatments.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Enrollment | 10500 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Ohio State University Academic / other |
| Drugs / interventions | chemotherapy, radiation |
| Locations | 1 site (Columbus, Ohio) |
| Trial ID | NCT05776771 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This observational trial aims to analyze the health history and motion capabilities of individuals suffering from low back and neck pain compared to those with healthy spines. Participants will complete questionnaires and wear motion monitors to assess their back and neck movements. The study seeks to identify patient phenotypes, predict injury risks, and evaluate treatment effectiveness, while also assessing the accuracy of wearable motion sensors. The research will involve a follow-up with participants after the initial assessment session lasting 40-70 minutes.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates include adults aged 18 and older who can stand for 20 minutes and understand English.
Not a fit: Patients currently receiving treatment for low back or neck pain or with a history of chronic pain lasting longer than 3 months may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to improved understanding and treatment of low back and neck pain disorders.
How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown success in using motion assessment and biopsychosocial profiling to differentiate between patient populations and improve treatment strategies.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Controls/Insincere Inclusion Criteria * Age 18 and older * Able to stand for 20 minutes * Able to speak, read, and understand English Exclusion criteria: * Known pregnancy * Currently seeing or planning to see a medical provider for low back or neck pain * History of chronic low back or neck pain lasting longer than 3 months * Blind or severe uncorrected vision problems that prevent participant from reading a tablet or laptop screen * Deaf or hearing problems that prevent the participant from hearing verbal instructions * Actively being treated by a medical provider for concussion * Known severe spinal 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 immobilization or bracing 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 osteoporosis requiring medical treatment and physician-recommended physical restrictions * Current open wounds or medical device entry points where the harnesses will be placed on the neck, 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 Patients Inclusion Criteria * Age 18 and older * Currently seeking medical consult with primary complaint of low back pain * Able to speak, read, and understand English * Able to stand for 10 minutes Exclusion criteria: * Known pregnancy * Blind or severe uncorrected vision problems that prevent participant from reading a tablet or laptop screen * Deaf or hearing problems that prevent the participant from hearing verbal instructions * 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. * Actively being treated by a medical provider for concussion * Known severe spinal 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 spine fractures within the last 6 months * Known unstable spondylolisthesis (i.e. standing 3mm of movement on flexion/extension film) * Current condition requiring immobilization of the spine * History of brain or spine cancer * Currently or within the last 90 days, been treated for any cancer with chemotherapy or radiation therapy * Known severe osteoporosis requiring medical treatment and physician-recommended physical restrictions * Current open wounds or medical device entry points where the harnesses will be placed on the 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 Neck Pain Patients Inclusion Criteria * Age 18 and older * Currently seeking medical consult with primary complaint of neck pain * Able to speak, read, and understand English * Able to stand for 10 minutes Exclusion criteria: * Known pregnancy * Blind or severe uncorrected vision problems that prevent participant from reading a tablet or laptop screen * Deaf or hearing problems that prevent the participant from hearing verbal instructions * 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 or an occipital-cervical fusion. * Actively being treated by a medical provider for concussion * Known severe spinal 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 spine fractures within the last 6 months * Known unstable spondylolisthesis (i.e. standing 3mm of movement on flexion/extension film) * Current condition requiring immobilization of the spine * History of brain or spine cancer * Currently or within the last 90 days, been treated for any cancer with chemotherapy or radiation therapy * Known severe osteoporosis requiring medical treatment and physician-recommended physical restrictions * Current open wounds or medical device entry points where the harnesses will be placed on the neck or back * 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
Where this trial is running
Columbus, Ohio
- The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center — Columbus, Ohio, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Lindsay Hanes, BS, CCRC
- Email: lindsay.hanes@osumc.edu
- Phone: 614-257-2294
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions
Low Back PainNeck Pain
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team.
Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice.
Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.