A Pilot Study Examining the Efficacy of Biomodulator Treatment for Chronic Low Back Pain

NCT ID: NCT02707094

Last Updated: 2018-02-05

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: COMPLETED
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 75 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2013-01-31
• Study Completion Date: 2016-08-31

Brief Summary

The purpose of this study is to determine the efficacy of self treatment with the Biomodulator device to decrease chronic low back pain (LBP) in active duty service members. In addition, the study will track the use of pain medication and the impact of pain on symptoms of anxiety, depression and Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome (PTSD).

Conditions

Chronic Low Back Pain

Study Design

• Allocation Method: RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Primary Study Purpose: TREATMENT
• Blinding Strategy: NONE

Study Groups

Usual Care (Medication + Exercise)

Usual Care: Participants will receive guidance on over-the-counter and prescribed pain medications to use to treat their chronic low back pain symptoms. The Research Coordinator (RC) will provide instructions for low back pain stretching and strengthening exercises. The Licensed Provider (LP) will determine if any exercises should be excluded based on their physical limitations. Participants enrolled in the usual care treatment arm will track the frequency of their back stretching and strengthening exercise sessions on the Pain Medication \& Exercise Diary. For the purpose of this study, treatment compliance will be met if participants complete the exercises a minimum of three times per week.

Group Type: OTHER

Usual Care (Medication + Exercise)

Intervention Type: OTHER

The study LP will prescribe an analgesic medication regimen based on the participant's needs. These medications may consist of Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) (ibuprofen, naproxen sodium, etc.), muscle relaxants (Flexeril, Robaxin, valium, etc.), non-narcotic analgesic medications (acetaminophen, aspirin, tramadol, etc.), or narcotic medications (Tylenol #3, Percocet, Vicodin, etc.) depending on the severity of their pain and co-morbid conditions. The RC will also provide instructions for LBP stretching and strengthening exercises. The following exercises will be recommended as a daily regimen: the partial curl, cat and camel, pelvic tilt, quadriceps, arm/leg raises,trunk rotation, single knee to chest stretch, standing hamstring stretch, and double knee to chest stretch.

Biomodulator + Usual Care

Biomodulator + Usual Care treatment group: Usual care, as described above, will be provided to all participants randomly allocated to this treatment group, in addition to treatment with the Biomodulator three times per week x 4 weeks. The licensed provider will review medication and treatment logs, prescribe pain medications as indicated, and assess for treatment side effects. In addition to treatment with the Biomodulator, the participant will perform back stretching and core strengthening exercises for a minimum of three times per week as instructed and will be told to use their prescribed pain medications as needed to self-treat their low back pain symptoms (as previously described above).

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Biomodulator

Intervention Type: DEVICE

The Biomodulator is a type of very low frequency TENS known as pulsed electromagnetic field therapy (PEMF). Unlike TENS devices that deliver 1-80 milliamperes of electrical current, PEMF devices deliver short bursts of electrical microamperes (millionths of an ampere) to injured tissues without producing heat or interfering with nerve or muscle function. Micro-current levels between 20-500 microampere appear to be most effective at relieving pain and inflammation and promoting tissue healing by realigning the natural electrical balance that exists within the cells that has become disrupted due to injury.

Usual Care (Medication + Exercise)

Intervention Type: OTHER

The study LP will prescribe an analgesic medication regimen based on the participant's needs. These medications may consist of Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) (ibuprofen, naproxen sodium, etc.), muscle relaxants (Flexeril, Robaxin, valium, etc.), non-narcotic analgesic medications (acetaminophen, aspirin, tramadol, etc.), or narcotic medications (Tylenol #3, Percocet, Vicodin, etc.) depending on the severity of their pain and co-morbid conditions. The RC will also provide instructions for LBP stretching and strengthening exercises. The following exercises will be recommended as a daily regimen: the partial curl, cat and camel, pelvic tilt, quadriceps, arm/leg raises,trunk rotation, single knee to chest stretch, standing hamstring stretch, and double knee to chest stretch.

Interventions

Biomodulator

The Biomodulator is a type of very low frequency TENS known as pulsed electromagnetic field therapy (PEMF). Unlike TENS devices that deliver 1-80 milliamperes of electrical current, PEMF devices deliver short bursts of electrical microamperes (millionths of an ampere) to injured tissues without producing heat or interfering with nerve or muscle function. Micro-current levels between 20-500 microampere appear to be most effective at relieving pain and inflammation and promoting tissue healing by realigning the natural electrical balance that exists within the cells that has become disrupted due to injury.

Intervention Type: DEVICE

Usual Care (Medication + Exercise)

The study LP will prescribe an analgesic medication regimen based on the participant's needs. These medications may consist of Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) (ibuprofen, naproxen sodium, etc.), muscle relaxants (Flexeril, Robaxin, valium, etc.), non-narcotic analgesic medications (acetaminophen, aspirin, tramadol, etc.), or narcotic medications (Tylenol #3, Percocet, Vicodin, etc.) depending on the severity of their pain and co-morbid conditions. The RC will also provide instructions for LBP stretching and strengthening exercises. The following exercises will be recommended as a daily regimen: the partial curl, cat and camel, pelvic tilt, quadriceps, arm/leg raises,trunk rotation, single knee to chest stretch, standing hamstring stretch, and double knee to chest stretch.

Intervention Type: OTHER

Other Intervention Names

Tennant Biomodulator; Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulator for pain relief

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• active duty Service Members (SMs) between the ages of 18 and 62, inclusive
• history of chronic LBP (i.e. intermittent or continuous LBP symptoms present for 3 months or greater prior to entry into the study
• participants must be using narcotic and/or non-narcotic oral analgesic medications to treat their chronic LBP symptoms on a weekly basis
• must be able to speak and read English and understand the study procedures

Exclusion Criteria

• pacemaker or implanted electronic device
• history of stroke, blood clots, or cardiac arrhythmias
• pregnancy
• no self-reported history of prescription medication abuse or sole-provider contract for prescribed narcotic medications
• open wound over site of chronic pain;
• history of spinal surgery
• participation in a clinical trial for an investigational drug/ treatment within last 30 days
• undergone treatment with TENS, biofeedback, or acupuncture within last 30 days
• prior treatment with the Biomodulator
• LBP "red flags": fever, trauma, progressive motor or sensory deficit, saddle anesthesia
• participation in the study would delay the medical board (MEB) processing of the service member off of active duty status or would delay a return to duty status to their home unit

• Minimum Eligible Age: 18 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 62 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Sponsors

Brooke Army Medical Center

FED

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Ann Marie Nayback-Beebe, PhD, RN

COL

Responsibility Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

Ann Marie Nayback-Beebe, PhD, FNP-BC

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Brooke Army Medical Center

Locations

Brooke Army Medical Center

Fort Sam Houston, Texas, United States

Countries

United States

Other Identifiers

TSNRP-N12-006

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id