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Investigating Medical Massage Therapy for Patients With Sub-Acute Lower Back Pain
Who can join
Ages 18 to 64 · All sexes
Full eligibility criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * 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 Criteria: * 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
About the study
The goal of this clinical trial is to determine if a weekly regimen of Medical Massage Therapy (MMT) with provider-directed care shortens the duration of Medically Restricted Duty Days (MRDD) periods in Active-Duty Service Members with Subacute Lower Back Pain (LBP) compared to provider-directed care alone.
The main question the study aims to answer is, when used as an adjunct to provider-directed care, a consistent program of MMT provided by a qualified practitioner, will shorten the duration of MRDD periods, reduce pain, and decrease unnecessary healthcare utilization in patients with Subacute LBP compared to provider-directed care alone. Researchers will study this hypothesis through the comparison of Group #1 (provider-directed care alone) and Group #2 (provider-directed care and MMT).
Participants randomized into the two study groups will be following a 12-week study design (+/- 2 weeks) comprised of their compliance to their provider-directed care, the study intervention (if randomized to Group #2) and study case report forms (CRFs); with a final follow up visit (up to 4 weeks following their final treatment visit).
What is being tested
- Medical Massage Therapy (procedure)
- Provider Directed Care (other)
Sponsor: The Geneva Foundation · Participants: 220 · Started: Jun 1, 2026
Contact the study team
- Janel Son, MPH · Phone: 253-968-3288
Official record on ClinicalTrials.gov — NCT07615816
Locations in the U.S.
| Washington | Madigan Army Medical Center, Joint Base Lewis McChord |
Conditions
From ClinicalTrials.gov, data retrieved Sep 30, 2026. Each study sets its own eligibility; the study team decides who can join.