Investigating pain modulation in low back pain patients
Pain Modulation - Experimental Assessments Using Different Modalities
This study is testing how people with low back pain respond to different types of pain to better understand how their nervous system works.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 705 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 60 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Balgrist University Hospital Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Zurich) |
| Trial ID | NCT04323293 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This study aims to explore how different painful stimuli are processed in the nervous system, particularly in individuals with low back pain. It will compare various experimental methods, including cold and neutral water baths, to assess pain modulation in both pain-free and low back pain cohorts. The research seeks to establish reliable methods for understanding the central nervous system's role in chronic pain, addressing the challenges of comparability and generalizability of results across different pain conditions.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are individuals experiencing low back pain for more than one week without identifiable causes.
Not a fit: Patients with neurological conditions, major medical or psychiatric disorders, or chronic pain conditions other than low back pain may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to improved understanding and treatment options for patients suffering from low back pain.
How similar studies have performed: While the approach of comparing pain modulation assessments is established, the specific application in low back pain is less common, indicating a novel aspect to this research.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * German or English proficiency * Informed consent * primary pain complaint localized between the 12th rib and the gluteal fold * low back pain for more than one week * low back pain clinically not attributable to "red flags" (including infection, trauma, fractures, inflammatory) Exclusion Criteria: * unable to give informed consent (e.g. due to language problems) * any neurological condition * any major medical or psychiatric condition (e.g. severe heart disease, diabetes, autoimmune disorders, major depressive disorder), any chronic pain condition other than low back pain * pregnancy * Radiating pain below knee level (radicular pain)
Where this trial is running
Zurich
- Balgrist University Hospital — Zurich, Switzerland (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Petra Schweinhardt, PhD — Integrative Spinal Research, Department of Chiropractic Medicine, Balgrist University Hospital, University of Zurich
- Study coordinator: Petra Schweinhardt, PhD
- Email: petra.schweinhardt@balgrist.ch
- Phone: +41 44 510 73 81
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.