Move-MORE: Online mindfulness, gentle movement, and motivational coaching for lumbosacral radiculopathy
A Multicomponent Intervention for Patients With Lumbosacral Radiculopathy: Move-MORE
This project tests whether an online program of mindfulness, gentle movement, and motivational interviewing can help adults with chronic lumbosacral radiculopathy (sciatica) reduce pain, improve function, and increase daily activity.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 32 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 66 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | National University of Natural Medicine Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Portland, Oregon) |
| Trial ID | NCT07125027 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
The Move-MORE program integrates Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement with guided gentle movement practices and motivational interviewing, delivered entirely online to people with chronic lumbosacral radiculopathy. The intervention is developed using patient focus groups and clinician interviews, then refined by expert mindfulness instructors. Participants complete online surveys, brief daily phone check-ins, wear a hip activity monitor to capture objective movement data, and undergo quantitative sensory testing for pain sensitivity. The study measures feasibility, acceptability, engagement, and preliminary effects on pain, disability, kinesiophobia, and other psychosocial outcomes.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults 18–65 with leg pain radiating below the knee for at least 12 weeks, a Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia score ≥23, ability to stand for 10 minutes, and at least one clinical sign of lumbar radiculopathy are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People with acute sciatica under 12 weeks, severe progressive neurological deficits that may need surgical care, inability to use online tools or wear the activity monitor, or inability to stand for 10 minutes may not benefit or may be ineligible.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this remote program could provide a non-invasive, medication-free option to reduce sciatic pain, lower fear of movement, and increase daily physical activity.
How similar studies have performed: Mindfulness and gentle movement programs have shown benefit for chronic low back pain in prior trials, but combining these components specifically for lumbosacral radiculopathy and delivering them fully online is a relatively new approach with limited prior data.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
* ● Adults age 18-65 years at the time of enrollment
* Ability to stand for 10 minutes
* Presence of lumbosacral radicular pain within the past week that extends below the knee (i.e., pain radiating from the low back into the leg in a nerve root distribution) with or without accompanying low back pain, of at least 12 weeks' duration, AND
* Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia score ≥ 23
* At least one positive physical examination finding consistent with lumbosacral radiculopathy, including at least one of the following:
* Positive straight leg raise test (eliciting radicular pain below the knee at ≤70 degrees of elevation);
* Positive Valsalva maneuver (eliciting radiculcar pain below the knee);
* Positive slump test;
* Neurological deficit in a lumbar nerve root distribution, including at least one of the following:
* Dermatomal sensory loss,
* Myotomal weakness, or
* Reduced or absent deep tendon reflexes (e.g., patellar or Achilles reflex) corresponding to the affected nerve root.
* Daily access to the internet via cell phone, tablet, or computer
* Willing to engage with Move-MORE 4-5 times per week on your own
* Willing to attend a two-hour-long virtual Zoom meeting once per week for eight weeks
* Willing to attend two in-person study visits and a follow-up visit
* Willing to complete 18 questionnaires pertaining to your pain symptoms, quality of life, psychosocial experiences, and your experiences in the trial
* Willing to wear an actigraphy device all day, every day, and while sleeping, for the duration of study participation and willing to keep it charged
* Willing to respond to a daily online survey for the duration of study participation
* Able to speak, read, and understand the English language
* Able to provide written informed consent
* Moderately motivated to participate as reported on a numeric rating scale (≥ 4/10)
Exclusion Criteria:
* ● Participants will be excluded if they have clinical signs or symptoms of lumbosacral radiculopathy with progressive neurologic deficits (loss of motor or sensory function) or intolerable pain.
* Participants with lumbosacral radiculopathy with progressive neurologic deficits will be referred for immediate medical attention, and are not eligible for participation in this study.
● Participants will be excluded if they have clinical signs or symptoms suggestive of cauda equina syndrome, including any of the following:
* New-onset urinary retention or overflow incontinence not attributable to other known causes;
* Fecal incontinence;
* New onset of saddle anesthesia (loss of sensation in the buttocks, perineum, and inner thighs);
* Severe or progressive bilateral lower extremity weakness;
* Participants with suspected cauda equina syndrome will be referred for immediate medical attention, and are not eligible for participation in this study.
* Presence of moderate to severe foot drop, defined as noticeable weakness in ankle dorsiflexion that interferes with walking or requires the use of an assistive device (e.g., ankle-foot orthosis). Participants with suspected or worsening foot drop will be referred for further evaluation and are not eligible for study participation.
* Current use of a spinal cord stimulator
* Have received epidural steroid injection in the prior 3 months
* Have received a surgical intervention for low back pain or lumbosacral radiculopathy in the previous 6 months
* Current active mindfulness meditation practice 1 time/week or more, and/or history of formal training in mindfulness/meditation practice
* Concurrent diagnosis of cancer
* Current unmanaged or uncontrolled mental illness known to cause psychosis: schizophrenia, schizotypal disorders, bipolar I disorder with psychosis, major depressive disorder with psychosis
* Diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder or score \>6 on the McLean Screening Instrument for Borderline Personality Disorder
* Initiation of or changes to an exercise regimen within 2 weeks prior to screening and/or enrollment
* Major medical or surgical event requiring hospitalization (for any reason other than a minor scheduled medical procedure) within 3 months prior to screening; or, scheduled or will be scheduled to occur within the 20 weeks (i.e., five months) after enrollment
* Currently participating in another interventional research study or participated in another interventional study within 2 weeks prior to screening
* Any reason the Clinical Investigator or Principal Investigator believes confers increased risk to the potential participant, if they were to enroll in the study
Where this trial is running
Portland, Oregon
- National University of Natural Medicine — Portland, Oregon, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Ryan S Wexler, ND, MS
- Email: morestudy@nunm.edu
- Phone: 503-552-1741
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.