Magnetic nerve stimulation to help chronic lower back pain

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This study evaluates whether repetitive peripheral magnetic stimulation can lessen pain and improve function in adults with chronic lower back pain. Participants are randomized to receive real or sham stimulation to the paraspinal nerves, with daily home back exercises and questionnaires at each visit. The intervention includes brief TMS sessions (2-3 minutes) plus up to 30 minutes of assessments per visit, across 5–10 visits over about 6 months. The study uses overall pain scores and functional activity to compare outcomes between groups. It is conducted at a military treatment facility with 88 participants and an open-label option for responders after the trial.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* Diagnosed with chronic low back pain (greater than or equal to 12 weeks) with or without concurrent neck pain.
* Low back pain in the paraspinal region (L1-S2) by asking the patient to point to their area of pain.
* 18 - 64 years old (on the day of informed consent)
* Willing and able to attend all study visits.
* No medication changes for at least 30 days before study enrollment (self-report)
* Eligible for care at participating military treatment facilities
* Able to read and understand English.
* Negative pregnancy test for women capable of pregnancy.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Diagnosed with low back pain of less than 12 weeks duration
* History of back fractures or surgical repair of the back
* History of depression with vagus nerve stimulation
* Any type of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), or rPMS treatment prior to study enrollment.
* Currently using any other adjunctive treatments for chronic back pain such as low-level laser treatment, ultrasound, dry needling, chiropractor manipulations, cervical collars, TENS units, or other stimulation, eastern medicine regimens including Qi Gong or Tai Chi. (Exception: strength building physical therapy, non-neuropathic pain modifiers, and non-anticonvulsant routine pain medicine regimens such as NSAIDS and Acetaminophen are allowed).Scheduled for nerve ablation, dry needling, trigger point injections, nerve block, therapeutic ultrasound, other stimulation, or similar adjunct treatments during the study period.
* Diagnosed with a specific low back pain: osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, phantom limb pain, central pain syndrome, spinal cord damage, myofascial pain syndrome, or other more specific diagnosis (at investigators discretion).
* Unstable or poorly controlled mental health diagnosis (e.g., current changes in medication or medical management).
* Dermal or subdermal implants (e.g., aneurysm clips, shunts, stimulators, ferro magnetic implants, stents, or electrodes, or pacemakers) or any other metal object within or near the site of stimulation which cannot be safely removed.
* Clinically significant abnormality or clinically significant unstable medical condition that, in the investigator's judgment, might pose a potential safety risk to the subject or limit interpretation of the trial results.
* Any condition which, in the judgment of the investigator, would prevent the patient from completing study procedures.
* Pregnancy
* Younger than 18 years old (on the day of informed consent)
* Older than 64 years old (on the day of informed consent)
* NOT willing or able to attend all study visits.
* Medication changes for back pain less than 30 days prior to study enrollment (self-report)
* NOT eligible for care at participating military treatment facilities
* NOT able to read and understand English.

Where it's running

• 412 Medical Group
  Edwards Air Force Base, California, United States Recruiting

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Joe Zhang, MD
• Email: joe.x.zhang.mil@health.mil
• Phone: 415-619-9997

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

• Comparing mini‑TLIF versus MIDLIF for disc-related low back pain

  This trial tests whether mini‑TLIF or MIDLIF gives better pain relief, fewer complications, and lower costs for adults with discogenic lower back pain who haven't improved with non-surgical treatment.

  Recruiting Copernicus Memorial Hospital · Lodz, Łódź Voivodeship · NCT07127380

• Comparing Gokhale Method posture therapy to standard physical therapy for chronic low back pain

  This study is testing if the Gokhale Method for improving posture can help people with chronic low back pain more than regular physical therapy does.

  Recruiting Stanford University · Redwood City, California · NCT05657964

• Vitamin D3 and K2 for healthcare personnel

  This study tests whether daily vitamin D3 and/or K2 supplements or a placebo change blood vitamin levels and the gut microbiome in military healthcare personnel with low vitamin D.

  Recruiting Madigan Army Medical Center · Tacoma, Washington · NCT07199829

• Simethicone to reduce gas pain after foregut and bariatric surgery

  This trial will test whether simethicone (Gas-X) reduces gas pain and bloating in adults having foregut operations such as sleeve gastrectomy or gastric bypass.

  Recruiting Phase 4 Madigan Army Medical Center · Tacoma, Washington · NCT06812832

• Trigger point injections for low back pain relief

  This study is testing whether trigger point injections can help people with lower back pain feel better and improve their ability to move after visiting the Emergency Department.

  Recruiting Phase 4 Madigan Army Medical Center · Tacoma, Washington · NCT04704297

How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.