Integrative treatments for chronic back and neck pain
Prospective Assessment of Integrative Therapies for Neuromusculoskeletal Pain (PAIN)
This project tries multiple integrative treatments—acupuncture, myofascial therapy, microcurrent, laser, and shockwave—to see if they reduce chronic back or neck pain in active-duty and other Department of Defense beneficiaries who can get care at Nellis AFB.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 125 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Mike O'Callaghan Military Hospital Federal |
| Locations | 1 site (Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada) |
| Trial ID | NCT07094282 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
Participants referred to the Nellis Integrative Medicine Clinic with chronic back or neck pain will receive tailored integrative therapies chosen by their providers, such as acupuncture, myofascial therapy, microcurrent therapy, laser, and extracorporeal shockwave therapy. Baseline and follow-up visits include self-reported pain intensity, medication review (including opioid MME), demographics, and medical history, with visits typically lasting 30 minutes to 2 hours depending on treatments. The protocol excludes patients in other pain management programs, those planning surgery or imminent military separation/deployment changes, pregnant or recently postpartum individuals, and patients with certain conditions like hypermobility disorders or implanted electrical devices. Outcomes are collected during routine care to measure changes in pain and function with these integrative approaches.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults (18+) who are active-duty or Department of Defense beneficiaries referred to the Nellis Integrative Medicine Clinic with chronic back or neck pain (pain ≥4/10 documented twice within a year at least 30 days apart).
Not a fit: Patients enrolled in other pain management programs, those planning surgery or military separation within six months, pregnant or within three months postpartum, with hypermobility disorders, implanted electrical devices, active cancer, or who cannot access care at Nellis AFB are unlikely to participate or benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, these therapies could reduce chronic back and neck pain, improve function and readiness, and decrease time lost from military duties.
How similar studies have performed: Some individual therapies such as acupuncture and extracorporeal shockwave have shown modest benefits for chronic musculoskeletal pain in prior studies, but combined, tailored multimodal integrative programs like this have limited high-quality evidence.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
\*\*Patients must be able to get care at Nellis Air Force Base (a military installation) in order to participate in this study\*\* Inclusion Criteria: * Active Duty and DoD Beneficiaries (i.e. former military, spouse, dependent child) aged 18 or older referred to the Nellis Integrative Medicine Clinic chronic back or neck pain * Pain Chronicity Threshold (pain score ≥4/10 documented in EMR or reported by patient at least 2 times in one year and at least 30 days apart). Exclusion Criteria: * Enrolled in other pain management program (e.g. pain management, PT /OT) * Anticipated Change of station, deployment, retirement from military service, separation from active or reserve military service (includes national guard) or plan to discontinue enrollment at MOMMC in \<6 months * Planned surgery during the study period * Pregnancy * \<3 months post-partum * Hypermobility disorders such as Ehlers Danlos * Active cancer (cancer in remission is not an exclusion) * Implanted electrical devices that cannot be turned off (ie pacemaker); implanted stimulators or pumps that can be turned off are not exclusionary * Injury or surgery within the last 6 weeks * Dementia * Delirium * Inability to make medical decisions or understand treatment plan as decided upon by principle or associate investigators * Undergoing medical evaluation board * Currently in the process of establishing or appealing VA disability rating, or planning to do so within the study period
Where this trial is running
Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada
- Mike O'Callaghan Military Medical Center — Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Daniel Shaffer, BSBA
- Email: daniel.w.shaffer.civ@health.mil
- Phone: 702-653-2067
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.