Helping chronic pain patients identify their low back pain sources
The Ability of Chronic Pain Patients to Self-diagnose Their Chief Source of Low Back Pain
This study is testing whether teaching chronic low back pain patients about pain sources helps them accurately identify their own pain causes compared to what doctors say.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 269 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Northwestern University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Chicago, Illinois) |
| Trial ID | NCT06630676 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This study aims to evaluate the ability of chronic low back pain patients to self-diagnose their condition after receiving educational materials about various pain sources. Participants will review a comprehensive presentation on pain referral patterns and then identify their perceived causes of pain, which will be compared to assessments made by physicians. The study seeks to understand the concordance between patient self-diagnosis and professional evaluations, potentially highlighting the impact of education on patient outcomes in chronic pain management.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are adults over 18 years old who have been experiencing low back pain or sciatica for more than three months.
Not a fit: Patients who have a specific diagnosis or are referred for a diagnostic procedure may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this study could empower patients with chronic low back pain to make more informed decisions about their condition and treatment options.
How similar studies have performed: While the approach of educating patients about their conditions is common, the specific methodology of this study is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested in this context.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * • Age \> 18 years * Primary complaint of LBP or sciatica * Duration of LBP \> 3 months Exclusion Criteria: * • Referral for a specific diagnostic procedure or who present with a pre-established diagnosis * Inability to understand written English
Where this trial is running
Chicago, Illinois
- Northwestern University Pain Management Center — Chicago, Illinois, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Steven Cohen, MD
- Email: steven.cohen@northwestern.edu
- Phone: 3126952500
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.