Medical Massage Therapy for Subacute Lower Back Pain in Active-Duty Service Members

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

Participants are active-duty service members aged 18-64 with subacute low back pain lasting 1-3 months. The trial randomizes them to receive provider-directed care alone or provider-directed care plus a weekly medical massage therapy session over about 12 weeks. The study looks at duration of medically restricted duty days, pain levels, and healthcare utilization to see if the massage addition provides additional benefit beyond standard care. It uses a two-group design to compare outcomes between the intervention and control arms, with follow-up aligned to the 12-week period (+/- 2 weeks). The Geneva Foundation leads the trial with collaboration from Uniformed Services University and Madigan Army Medical Center at Madigan Army Medical Center, Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* Active-duty service member
* 18-64 (inclusive) years of age
* Medical evidence of subacute low back pain (as indicated by complications lasting 1-3 months)
* Willingness to comply with treatment and follow-up schedule
* Ability and willingness to provide written informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

* Current dx of any of the following:
* Presence of significant comorbid pain (e.g., polytrauma)
* Cancer - active/ongoing treatment for
* Active Infections, including skin lesions and rashes
* Flu or other severe cold virus or COVID
* Severe depression or anxiety
* Symptomatic Inflammatory/Autoimmune diseases such as Rheumatoid
* Arthritis and Ankylosing Spondylitis. Acute exacerbation and not in remission
* High Grade Spondylolisthesis (Grade III and Grade IV)
* Fibromyalgia
* Severe Osteoporosis (BMD with T-score of -2.5 or lower, along with the presence of one or more fragility fractures)
* Neurogenic conditions
* Spinal Stenosis with active neurogenic claudication
* Cauda Equina Syndrome - acute
* Radiating pain below the knee or in the presence of true Neurological signs (numbness/weakness)
* Historical dx of any of the following:
* Spinal Cord injuries with persisting neurogenic sensory or motor loss
* Lumbar spine back surgery within the past year
* Received spinal interventions (e.g., surgery, nerve ablations, steroid injections, etc.) within the past 6 months
* Current use of blood thinners/anticoagulants
* Is enrolled or plans to enroll in another clinical trial during this study that would affect the patient's safety or results of this trial
* \[Females only\] Currently pregnant (self-reported) or plans to become pregnant during the study intervention period

Where it's running

• Madigan Army Medical Center
  Joint Base Lewis McChord, Washington, United States Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Ghena G. Grinshpun, PhD, MBA, MSF, PMP — Madigan Army Medical Center
• Study coordinator: Janel Son, MPH
• Email: json@genevausa.org
• Phone: 253-968-3288

Similar studies

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

• Lower back pain: stem cell and exosome infusion vs placebo

  This study tests whether an umbilical cord blood–derived stem cell and exosome infusion can help adults with chronic degenerative lower back pain compared with placebo.

  Recruiting Phase 1 Adia Med of Winter Park LLC · Winter Park, Florida · NCT07587047

• Dynamic sitting with prototype office chairs for lower back pain

  This study will test whether using two types of dynamic office chairs instead of a static chair can prevent or reduce lower back pain in office workers who tend to develop pain.

  Recruiting University of Applied Sciences for Health Professions Upper Austria · Linz, Upper Austria · NCT07197879

• SPRINT peripheral nerve stimulation for chronic posterior sacroiliac joint (PSIJC) low back pain

  This study will try a temporary SPRINT peripheral nerve stimulator to see if it reduces chronic PSIJC-related lower back pain in adults who have already tried physical therapy and medications.

  Recruiting at 2 sites Medical University of South Carolina · Charleston, South Carolina and 1 other locations · NCT07166952

• Intrathecal CNTX-3001 for intractable chronic low back pain

  This trial will test CNTX-3001, a non-opioid medicine given into the spinal fluid, to see if it is safe and helps adults with long-standing, treatment-resistant moderate to severe low back pain.

  Recruiting Phase 1 Centrexion Therapeutics · Napa, California · NCT07122453

• Three dry needling approaches for chronic low back pain

  This study will see if three types of dry needling—dry needling alone, dry needling with high-rate PENS, and dry needling with low-rate PENS—reduce pain and improve quality of life for adults with chronic low back pain.

  Recruiting The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston · Galveston, Texas · NCT07112404

• Robotic EMMA versus therapist-delivered lower back massage

  This test compares a robotic device called EMMA to a certified massage therapist for adults with lower back pain to see if patient experience differs.

  Recruiting Mayo Clinic · Rochester, Minnesota · NCT07040397

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.