Project 1 Aim 2, Adaptations of the Brain in Chronic Pain With Opioid Exposure
Opioid UseOpioid Dependence11 moreThis study is designed to track brain functional changes in individuals with i) chronic back pain + opioid use (CBP+O) and individuals with ii) chronic back pain + opioid misuse disorder (CBP+mOUD) following a brief drug delay and re-exposure manipulation. Re-exposure could be placebo, the participant's own opioid dose, or a dopaminergic treatment (DA+NSAID). The participants will be also evaluated for changes in cognition, emotion, and motor abilities with opioid delay and re-exposure to placebo, opioid, or DA+NSAID.
Conventional vs Bipolar SIJ RFA for Treatment of Sacroiliac Joint Pain
Sacroiliac Joint ComplexLow Back PainSpecific Aims The sacroiliac joint complex (SIJC) is a diathrodial, synovial joint and posterior ligamentous network that receives both anterior innervation from the lumbosacral plexus as well as posterior sensory innervation via the posterior sacral network (PSN). The PSN is comprised by the lateral branches S1-S3 posterior rami, with variable contributions from S4 lateral branch, L4 medial branch, and L5 dorsal ramus. Pain signals originating from the SIJC can be interrupted with image-guided percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of the PSN, thereby reducing pain and disability in carefully selected patients. A prior systematic review estimated that 32-89% of patients achieve at least 50% pain relief for six months after some type of PSN ablation. Many experts suspect that heterogenous RFA techniques and technology are responsible for the variable success rates seen across published studies. Cadaveric work suggests that targeting the PSN with a large bipolar strip lesions would result in >95% PSN neural capture compared to a smaller lesion produced by a conventional, monopolar, periforaminal RFA technique which may capture as low as 2.5% of the PSN. Nimbus is a commonly used multi-tined RFA probe whose large bipolar lesion size make it an ideal option for complete PSN neural ablation. Both the Nimbus (N-SIJRFA) and conventional (C-SIJRFA) techniques and technologies are commonly used; however, there are no prospective RCT's comparing them, and the clinical significance remains unknown. Problem: There are no randomized controlled trials comparing novel technologies like N-SIJRFA to C-SIJRFA. Purpose: To compare pain and disability outcomes in patients with confirmed SIJC pain after randomization to either N-SIJRFA or C-SIJRFA. Central Hypothesis: N-SIJRFA will be more effective in improving pain and function compared to patients treated with C-SIJRFA at 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months. Specific Aims: Compare the proportion of participants who report ≥50% relief of pain by Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) after N-SIJRFA versus C-SIJRFA. Compare the proportion of participants who report ≥15-point ODI (Oswestry Disability Index) reduction after N-SIJRFA versus C-SIJRFA. Compare the proportion of participants with clinically significant improvement in the categorical EuroQol 5 Dimensions tool (EQ-5D) defined by ≥0.03, after N-SIJRFA versus C-SIJRFA. Compare the proportions of participants who report being "improved" or "much improved" on the Patient Global Impression of Change (PGIC) scale after N-SIJRFA versus C-SIJRFA. Evaluate the differences in success rates for pain improvement, functional improvement and satisfaction in those experiencing ≥ 50%, ≥ 80%, and 100% pain relief after either prognostic PSN blocks or intra-articular (IA) sacroiliac joint (SIJ) injections. Determine the effect of PSN ablation on reducing pain related sleep disturbance as measured by the Pain and Sleep Questionnaire (PSQ-3). Compare procedural time requirements between those treated with N-SIJRFA versus C-SIJRFA. Report adverse effects. Report rates of subsequent interventional healthcare utilization including repeat N-SIJRFA versus C-SIJRFA, SIJ injection, and SIJ fusion.
General Exercises With and Without TA Contraction in Patients With Nonspecific Acute LBP
Low Back PainPURPOSE: To evaluate the effectiveness of adding transversus abdominis contraction to general exercises to treat patients with nonspecific acute low back pain. BACKGROUND: Non-specific low back pain affects people of all ages and is a leading contributor to disease burden worldwide. Management consists of education and reassurance, analgesic medicines, non-pharmacological therapies, and timely review. The clinical course of low back pain is often favourable; thus, many patients require little if any formal medical care. Two treatment strategies are currently used, a stepped approach beginning with more simple care that is progressed if the patient does not respond, and the use of simple risk prediction methods to individualise the amount and type of care provided. Motor control exercises, which advocate the contraction of the TrA have shown some efficacy for patients with chronic low back pain. However, the validity of this strategy for patients with acute LBP is unclear. HYPOTHESES: there will be no significant effect of adding transversus abdominis contraction to general exercise than general exercise alone in patients with non-specific acute low back pain. RESEARCH QUESTION: Is there a statistically significant effect of adding transversus abdominis contraction to general exercise on outcomes of patients with non-specific acute low back pain?
Effects of Primal Reflex Release Technique in Chronic Non-specific Low Back Pain
Chronic Non-specific Low Back PainLow back pain is a major disorder which occurs from chronic over use and injury to lumbar musculoskeletal system. Sometimes the source of pain is non-specific leading to pain and spasm due to muscle imbalance. Primal reflex release technique is a novel concept to decrease pain and muscle spasm by resetting reflexes using reciprocal inhibition following the concept of rebooting the Autonomic nervous system. This study aims to determine the effects of primal reflex release technique on pain, flexibility and disability in chronic nonspecific low back pain patients. This study will be a Randomized Controlled trial and will be conducted at Arif Memorial Hospital in Lahore. A sample size of Total 32 patients will be taken in this study using consecutive sampling technique. Patients will be randomly assigned into two groups. Group A will be treated by conventional therapy and Group B will be treated by conventional therapy and primal reflex release technique. Numeric Pain Rating Scale and Ronald Morris Disability Questionnaire will be used to evaluate pain and disability respectively. Flexibility of low back, Iliopsoas, hamstring, Piriformis and gastrocnemius will be measured by schober's test, modified Thomas test, Active knee extension test, FAIR test and active dorsiflexion, respectively. The evaluation will be on day 1 as pretreatment values and at 2nd and 4th week as post treatment values respectively. The collected data will be analyzed on SPSS - 25.
The Effect of Structured Pain Education on Pain and Performance Parameters in Patients With Chronic...
Chronic Low Back PainThe Effect of Structured Pain Education on Pain and Performance Parameters in Patients with Chronic Low Back Pain The aim of this study is to compare the effects of only Low Load Motor Control Exercises and Pain Education in addition to these exercises on pain, performance, disability and psychological factors, and to present a generalizable pain education in patients with chronic low back pain. We think that DYMK exercises applied together with a general Pain Education given to the patients will provide more improvement on these factors. The patients will be divided into 2 groups, as a pain training group and an exercise group, with 20 people in each group, in a randomized controlled manner. Only DYMK exercise training will be applied to the exercise group. In the pain training group, pain training will be applied in addition to the DYMK exercise training. As an evaluation parameter to the participants; Numerical Rating Scale, Short-Form McGill Pain Questionnaire, Pain Catastrophizing Scale, Tampa Kinesiophobia Scale, Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire, Pain Self-Efficacy Questionnaire, Passive Lumbar Extension Test, Finger-Place Test and Physical Performance Test Battery will be applied. Patients will be evaluated before the start of the study (T0) and at the end of the study (T1). Low Load Motor Control Exercises will be applied to people in both groups for 4 weeks, 3 days a week, during 20-30 minute sessions. In addition to the DYMK exercise training, a session of 30 to 50 minutes of Pain Training in groups of 4 to 5 people will be given to the patients included in the Pain Training group at the beginning of the exercise training and the exercise training will begin.
RCT Study of the Gelstix™ Device to Treat Chronic Discogenic Low Back Pain GelStix Study
Degeneration of Lumbar Intervertebral DiscDegenerative Disc Disease is one of the most common spinal pathologies, affecting up to 10-15 % of adults. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of treatment with the GelStix™ device in a patient population with discogenic pain that had no benefit from conservative care.
Craniosacral Therapy as a Self-help Strategy for Patients With Chronic Non-specific Back Pain
Low Back PainMechanical2 moreCraniosacral Therapy (CST) is a non-manipulative, very gentle manual treatment method. Although the mechanisms of action have not yet been investigated sufficiently, initial clinical trials support CST efficacy/effectiveness in chronic pain disorders such as back pain, neck pain, and fibromyalgia. In clinical practice, therapists also report pain alleviating effects of CST self-help techniques, offered to patients within a group concept. Yet, the effectiveness of teaching CST self-help techniques to medical laypersons has not yet been scientifically investigated. Therefore, this study aims at collecting quantifiable data on the effectiveness and safety of a CST self-help group concept, developed for patients with chronic non-specific low back pain. The intervention group will receive 24 lessons of education and practice in CST self-help techniques over 12 weeks, while the control group will receive the same amount of self-help (education and practice) in progressive muscle relaxation. Six and 12 months after randomization, longer-term effects will be investigated.
Which Exercise for Low Back Pain? Predicting Response to Exercise for Patients With Low Back Pain...
Non-specific Low Back PainExercise therapy is the most recommended treatment for chronic low back pain. There is a wide range of exercises available and research studies have shown that no exercise is superior to another. The problem is that the effects of exercise in reducing pain and disability are small to moderate. Researchers and clinicians believe that different patients may best respond to different types of exercises. This means that if patients could be better matched to specific exercises, then the effects of exercise would be greater. A study conducted by the investigators of this study tested whether patient's characteristics could predict outcomes to two of the most common exercises for low back pain: motor control exercises or graded activity. The results showed that a simple questionnaire (Lumbar Spine Instability Questionnaire) could identify patients who responded best to either exercise. Patients with low clinical instability (measured by the questionnaire) responded best to graded activity. Patients with high clinical instability responded best to motor control exercises.These results were the first to show that better matching patients to specific exercises improves outcomes. Although these results have the potential to significantly improve the delivery of exercises for low back pain, validation of the results in a high-quality study with a large group of patients is a prerequisite to clinical implementation. The aim of this study is to conduct a randomized controlled trial comparing the effects of graded activity to motor control exercises and identify groups of respondents to these exercises. The study will also include the evaluation the costs and benefits of these interventions and the potential impact of matched treatment to patients and the health care system. The results of this study has the potential to increase the effects of exercise in low back pain and consequently lead to better patient outcomes and decreased health related costs.
SMART Stepped Care Management for Low Back Pain in the Military Health System
Low Back PainChronic Pain2 moreThis study will be sequential, randomization trial where patients with chronic low back pain are initially randomized to receive 1 of 2 treatments (physical therapy OR Move 2 Health). This will be Phase I of the study intervention. Patients who do not respond to treatment after 6 weeks will undergo a subsequent sequential randomization. This will be Phase II of the study intervention. Patients in Phase II will be randomized to receive 1 of 2 treatments (addition of physical therapy or Move 2 Health, whichever one they did not receive OR the MORE Mindfulness intervention). Patients will be followed for 1 year after enrollment.
DBS of the SCC for the Treatment of Medically Refractory CLBP
Chronic Low-back PainThe purpose of this study is to evaluate the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of deep brain stimulation of the subgenual cingulate cortex for the treatment of chronic medically-refractory low back pain using a randomized double-blind crossover design.