Clinical trial for Chronic Low-back Pain
Official title The METRIC Study Protocol
ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT05986370
What this study is testing
- What it's testing
- The study wants to see if spinal manipulation reduces pain by lowering nerve signals and if it works better when applied to the whole spine or after more treatments.
- Who it's for
- Adults who have chronic low‑back pain and are not taking other pain‑relief treatments.
- What's involved
- Participants receive spinal manipulation on the spine or back, or a control treatment, and have pain tests and other measurements taken during the visits.
- Time commitment
- The study lasts up to 3 months, with 12 or 36 treatment sessions and several follow‑up visits for testing.
- Time commitment: about 3 months
A plain-language read of the study's public ClinicalTrials.gov listing. The study team confirms the details.
Who can take part
Ages 18 to 60. Healthy volunteers may be eligible.
You may be able to join if
- 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.
You likely can't join if
- Diagnosis of back conditions other than chronic primary LBP e.g., failed back surgery syndrome, spondylosis, spondylolisthesis, spinal stenosis...
- 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...
- Underwent surgery in the last 3 months;
- Pregnancy, ≤ 3 months post-partum or planning to get pregnant in the next 12 months;
See the full eligibility 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.
- 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...
- 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.
The study team makes the final eligibility decision.
Where it is enrolling
- Trois-Rivières, Quebec, Canada
Compensation & support
This study's listing mentions compensation or reimbursement.
No amount is published here because ClinicalTrials.gov has no reliable field for payment or travel support. Ask the study team what's actually covered (payment for your time, travel, parking, or other study costs), and never join a trial for the compensation alone.
Questions & answers
Do participants get paid in this trial?
This study's listing includes signals that participants may be compensated or receive a stipend. Amounts vary and are set by the study team, so confirm the details with them.
Is it free to join, and do I need insurance?
Searching and applying through BridgeMD is free. In clinical trials the study-related treatment and visits are generally provided at no cost to you. You usually don't need insurance to take part, but confirm specifics with the study team.
How long does this study last?
The study runs about 3 months per participant, based on its public description. The team confirms the exact schedule and number of visits before you enroll.
Who can join this trial?
This study is enrolling all sexes, 18 years to 60 years. Healthy volunteers may be eligible. The study team makes the final eligibility decision.
Where is this trial taking place?
This study is enrolling now at Trois-Rivières, Quebec, Canada. Enter your location above to see the nearest enrolling site and check your eligibility.
Explore other conditions
BridgeMD is an information and trial-matching tool that is independent of the study sponsor. Details come from ClinicalTrials.gov. The study team decides eligibility, and your own doctor gives medical advice.