BridgeMD
New treatment option 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 goal of this clinical trial is to test the effects of spinal manipulative therapy in individuals with chronic primary low back pain and determine the neurophysiological mechanisms underlying pain relief. The main questions it aims to answer are: Is pain relief produced by spinal manipulative therapy in patients with chronic primary low back pain caused by a reduction of C-fiber-related nociceptive processing?
- 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's taking place
- Trois-Rivières, Quebec, Canada
Compensation & support
Compensation mentioned.
ClinicalTrials.gov doesn't provide a reliable structured field for payment or travel support - confirm details with the study team.
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 - 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 - 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?
Study sites include Trois-Rivières, Quebec, Canada. Enter your location above to see the nearest site and check your eligibility.
Explore other conditions
BridgeMD is an information and trial-matching tool - not medical advice, and not the study sponsor. Details come from ClinicalTrials.gov; the study team decides eligibility.