Understanding brain activity in chronic low back pain with movement and biometric profiling

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 uses wearable Optically Pumped Magnetometers Magnetoencephalography (OPM-MEG) to record brain activity at rest and during a movement-evoked pain task in adults with chronic non-specific low back pain and neural mechanosensitivity, compared with pain-free controls. Participants complete questionnaires on pain, fear of movement, catastrophizing, sleep, and function, and undergo a 6-minute walk test with smart insoles to capture gait metrics. A controlled Slump-based knee extension/flexion protocol elicits movement-evoked pain, while researchers examine how cortical processing relates to biopsychosocial profiles and gait changes. The trial aims to map central pain mechanisms with high-resolution brain data while accounting for physical and psychological factors. This is an observational, cross-sectional assessment rather than an interventional trial.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria (Group of Chronic Low Back Pain Patients):

* 18-45 years old
* Non-specific low back pain
* Duration of pain \> 3 months
* Positive SLUMP test

Inclusion Criteria (Group of Healthy Control Participants):

* 18-45 years old
* Healthy/ free of pain

Exclusion Criteria (Common for both groups):

* History of spinal injury
* History of cancer
* Bone metabolic diseases
* Inflammatory conditions (spondyloarthritis or systemic inflammatory diseases)
* Spondylolistethis
* Presence of neurological deficits suggesting active nerve root compression/radiculopathy (pathological of tendon reflexes, sensitivity and muscle strength)
* Diagnosed neurodegenerative/neurological disorders or epilepsy
* Psychiatric disorders
* High irritability, according to Severity, Irritability, Nature, Stage, and Stability- SINSS pain assessment tool.
* Claustrophobia due to the measurement process inside the shielded room
* Electrical/electronic implants(e.g. pacemakers), metallic surgical materials (e.g. plates, stent) and dental and orthodontic metallic materials (e.g. braces).

Where it's running

• Laboratory of Medical Physics and Digital Innovation, AUTH
  Thessaloniki, Central Macedonia, Greece Recruiting

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Natalia M Keklikoglou, MSc Student
• Email: nkeklik@ece.auth.gr
• Phone: 2310999310

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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.