Understanding brain factors in chronic low back pain
Official title: Assessing the Predictability of Brain, Psychological and Epigenetic Determinants for Optimizing the Treatment of Chronic Low Back Pain
Run by Université de Sherbrooke · NCT05963451 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how the brain might be involved in chronic low back pain to help improve diagnosis and treatment for people who have been dealing with this pain for six months or longer.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years to 75 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 80 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Université de Sherbrooke Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Sherbrooke, Quebec) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | September 7, 2023 |
| Main results expected | July 16, 2027 |
| Study ends | July 16, 2027 |
| Registry record updated | September 13, 2023 |
| Trial ID | NCT05963451 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates for this study are individuals experiencing chronic low back pain for at least six months, with specific pain characteristics and no recent surgical interventions.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients with neurological, cardiovascular, or pulmonary disorders, or those who have undergone recent surgical interventions for back pain may not benefit from this study.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This observational study aims to explore the role of the brain in patients suffering from chronic low back pain (CLBP). By investigating the structural and functional properties of the brain, the study seeks to enhance the understanding of the mechanisms contributing to CLBP. The findings could lead to improved diagnosis and treatment strategies for this prevalent condition, which affects millions globally. The study will involve patients with a history of low back pain lasting six months or more, focusing on their brain characteristics without any direct interventions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to more effective diagnosis and treatment options for patients suffering from chronic low back pain.
How similar studies have gone: While the role of the brain in chronic pain is an emerging field, this specific approach to understanding CLBP through brain characteristics is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Low back pain (≥ 6 months) with or without pain radiating to the legs or radiating to the neck * Positive medial branch blocks, suggesting that the pain originates from the lumbar facet joints * Average pain intensity of ≥ 3/10 in the 24-hour period before the initial visit * Pain primarily localized in the lower back Exclusion Criteria: * Inadequate pain relief or relief of less than three months following selective thermoablation of medial lumbar branches by radiofrequency * Neurological, cardiovascular, or pulmonary disorders * Comorbid pain syndrome * History of surgical intervention in the back * A corticosteroid infiltration within the past year * Pregnancy (current or planned during the course of the study) * Contra-indication to Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
Where it's running
-
Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Sherbrooke (CRCHUS)
Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada Recruiting
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Pascal Tétreault, PhD
- Email: pascal.tetreault@usherbrooke.ca
- Phone: 819-346-1110
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.