Medical Massage Therapy for Sub-Acute Lower Back Pain

This study is looking at whether Medical Massage Therapy (MMT) can help active-duty service members with sub-acute lower back pain (pain lasting 1-3 months). Researchers want to see if MMT, when added to regular care from a healthcare provider, can shorten the time people are on "Medically Restricted Duty Days" (MRDD). They also want to see if MMT can reduce pain and how often people need to use healthcare services. You might be able to join if you are an active-duty service member between 18 and 64 years old with sub-acute lower back pain. The study will measure your pain and how well you can do daily activities to see if the treatment is successful. The current status of this study is unclear.

Study design
This is an interventional study planning to enroll 220 participants. It compares Medical Massage Therapy plus provider-directed care to provider-directed care alone.
What's involved
Participants will have visits at baseline, week 1, week 6, week 12, and a final follow-up visit up to 16 weeks after the start of the study. You will receive either medical massage therapy or provider-directed care.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Participants will be followed for up to 16 weeks after their baseline visit.

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NCT07615816

Investigating Medical Massage Therapy for Patients With Sub-Acute Lower Back Pain

Recruiting
NAAges 18–64InterventionalTreatment
The Geneva Foundation
~220 participants
Updated 2026-06-05 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:Medical Massage TherapyProvider Directed Care

At a glance

Recruiting sites
1 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Modified Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Index (M-ODI)
Measured over Baseline Visit, Week 1 Visit, Week 6 Visit, Week 12 Visit, and Final Follow-up Visit (up to 16 weeks after Baseline Visit)
+8 more outcomes measured
Lower Back Pain
Subacute Lower Back Pain
Medical Massage Therapy
1 sites across 1 states
Washington1
  • Ghena G. Grinshpun, PhD, MBA, MSF, PMP · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · Madigan Army Medical Center

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

Active-duty service member
18-64 (inclusive) years of age
Medical evidence of subacute low back pain (as indicated by complications lasting 1-3 months)
Willingness to comply with treatment and follow-up schedule
Ability and willingness to provide written informed consent

Exclusion

Current dx of any of the following:
Presence of significant comorbid pain (e.g., polytrauma)
Cancer - active/ongoing treatment for
Active Infections, including skin lesions and rashes
Flu or other severe cold virus or COVID
Severe depression or anxiety
Symptomatic Inflammatory/Autoimmune diseases such as Rheumatoid
Arthritis and Ankylosing Spondylitis. Acute exacerbation and not in remission
High Grade Spondylolisthesis (Grade III and Grade IV)
Fibromyalgia
Severe Osteoporosis (BMD with T-score of -2.5 or lower, along with the presence of one or more fragility fractures)
Neurogenic conditions
Spinal Stenosis with active neurogenic claudication
Cauda Equina Syndrome - acute
Radiating pain below the knee or in the presence of true Neurological signs (numbness/weakness)
Historical dx of any of the following:
Spinal Cord injuries with persisting neurogenic sensory or motor loss
Lumbar spine back surgery within the past year
Received spinal interventions (e.g., surgery, nerve ablations, steroid injections, etc.) within the past 6 months
Current use of blood thinners/anticoagulants
Is enrolled or plans to enroll in another clinical trial during this study that would affect the patient's safety or results of this trial
\[Females only\] Currently pregnant (self-reported) or plans to become pregnant during the study intervention period
  • Modified Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Index (M-ODI)Baseline Visit, Week 1 Visit, Week 6 Visit, Week 12 Visit, and Final Follow-up Visit (up to 16 weeks after Baseline Visit)

    The M-ODI is the most commonly used aid for evaluating disability due to LBP This free instrument delivers medical provider information related to functional limitation and pain management.

  • Satisfaction and Treatment History Self-Reported DataWeek 1-12 Visits, and Final Follow-up Visit (up to 16 weeks after Baseline Visit)

    Participants will self-report differences in healthcare utilization and prescription medication fulfillment, as well as satisfaction with care.

  • Work Productivity and Activity Impairment Questionnaire (WPAI-LBP)Baseline Visit, Week 1-12 Visits, and Final Follow-up Visit (up to 16 weeks after Baseline Visit)

    The Work Productivity and Activity Impairment (WPAI) Low Back Pain (LBP) questionnaire is an instrument used to assess the impact of low back pain on a person's ability to work and perform daily activities. The questionnaire focuses on absenteeism (missing work), presenteeism (reduced productivity at work), and limitations in non-work activities due to low back pain.

  • Defense and Veterans Pain Rating Scale (DVPRS)Baseline Visit, Week 1-12 Visits, and Final Follow-up Visit (up to 16 weeks after Baseline Visit)

    The Defense and Veterans Pain Rating Scale (DVPRS 2.0) is a pain assessment tool that utilizes a numerical rating scale enhanced by functional word descriptors, color coding, and pictorial facial expressions matched to pain levels.

  • Global Pain Scale (GPS)Baseline Visit, Week 1 Visit, Week 6 Visit, Week 12 Visit, and Final Follow-up Visit (up to 16 weeks after Baseline Visit)

    The GPS is a comprehensive assessment of pain evaluating pain, emotions, clinical outcomes, and daily activities,. This may be a valuable tool for evaluation and treatment planning for interventional pain management physicians.

  • Global Rating of Change Score (GRoC)Week 1 Visit, Week 6 Visit, Week 12 Visit, and Final Follow-up Visit (up to 16 weeks after Baseline Visit)

    The GRoC is a frequently used outcome measure that has ben used to independently score self-perceived improvement in a patient and has been used as an anchor method to determine minimal clinically important change scores. The GRoC is a single-item, recall-based questionnaire of well-being that is based on progress since an initial treatment encounter.

  • Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS-29)Baseline Visit, Week 1 Visit, Week 6 Visit, Week 12 Visit, and Final Follow-up Visit (up to 16 weeks after Baseline Visit)

    The PROMIS-29 v2.0 profile assesses pain intensity using a single 0-10 numeric rating item and seven health domains (physical function, fatigue, pain interference, depressive symptoms, anxiety, ability to participate in social roles and activities, and sleep disturbance) using four items per domain.

  • Physical Therapy Appointment HistoryWeek 1-12 Visits, and Final Follow-up Visit (up to 16 weeks after Baseline Visit)

    How many PT appointments since last study visit, which body part(s) treated, what treatment modalities were performed?

  • Military Specific Duty StatusBaseline Visit, Week 1-12 Visits, and Final Follow-up Visit (up to 16 weeks after Baseline Visit)