Testing spinal manipulative therapy for chronic low-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 clinical trial aims to evaluate the effects of spinal manipulative therapy on individuals suffering from chronic primary low back pain. It will investigate whether pain relief is linked to a reduction in C-fiber-related nociceptive processing and whether treatment outcomes differ based on the extent of spinal manipulation applied. Participants will receive either full spine or lumbar-only spinal manipulative therapy, or a control intervention, over varying treatment durations. Healthy volunteers will also be included to provide reference data for comparison.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* Duration of current low back pain (LBP) episode ≥ 6 months;
* Average LBP intensity during the last 7 days ≥ 3/10;
* (For healthy volunteers only) To be of the same sex and age (± 1 year) as a participant with low back pain.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Diagnosis of back conditions other than chronic primary LBP e.g., failed back surgery syndrome, spondylosis, spondylolisthesis, spinal stenosis, herniated disc, infection, etc.;
* Presence of pain in another body location that is more severe than the pain in the lower back;
* Presence of a neurological deficit i.e., sensation loss, muscle weakness, decreased deep tendon reflexes;
* Presence of contraindications to spinal manipulative therapy e.g., recent fracture, history of spinal surgery, cauda equina syndrome, inflammatory arthritis, taking anticoagulant medication, active cancer, moderate to severe osteoporosis, abdominal aortic aneurysm;
* Underwent surgery in the last 3 months;
* Pregnancy, ≤ 3 months post-partum or planning to get pregnant in the next 12 months;
* History of spinal manipulative therapy in the past 12 months;
* Scoliosis ≥ 20°;
* BMI ≥ 40;
* Insufficient language skills in French to complete the questionnaires;
* Open or pending litigation for LBP or seeking/receiving disability compensation;
* Diagnosis of an illness affecting the sensorimotor functions e.g., diabetes, multiple sclerosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis;
* Diagnosis of mental health disorders (with the exception of anxiety and depression);
* Current drug or alcohol dependence;
* Skin of type I on the Fitzpatrick scale;
* (For healthy volunteers only) Regular use of pain medication or usage in the 48 h prior to data collection;
* (For healthy volunteers only) History of chronic pain;
* (For healthy volunteers only) Acute pain on the days of data collection.

Where it's running

• Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières
  Trois-Rivières, Quebec, Canada Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Mathieu Piché — Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières
• Study coordinator: Benjamin Provencher
• Email: metric@uqtr.ca
• Phone: 1-819-376-5011

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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.