Non-surgical Spinal Decompression Therapy and Outcomes

NCT ID: NCT06525896

Last Updated: 2025-07-23

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

RECRUITING

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

42 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2025-01-07

Study Completion Date

2026-08-31

Brief Summary

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This project will determine the clinical utility of non-surgical spine decompression for chronic low back pain (LBP). LBP is one of the highest incidence medical conditions that contributes to disability, decreased activities of daily living, decreased quality of life, and inability to work. LBP affects ≈70-85% of people during their lifetime, with ≈20% becoming chronic by age 20-59 years. Many current LBP therapeutics have detrimental long-term effects, undesired side effects, are invasive procedures with low success rates, and do not fare better than conservative care. Further, many chronic musculoskeletal pain patients do not respond to surgery, and many develop dependence on opioids.

This project will implement a small-scale double-blinded, randomized proof-of-concept clinical trial to gather biomechanical and MRI data that will objectively determine the effectiveness of non-surgical spinal decompression (NSSD) over a 12-week longitudinal timeframe. The potential to provide a non-invasive alternative to chronic LBP via NSSD is innovative and addresses the pressing need for safer, more effective pain management options with fewer negative sequelae. NSSD has the potential to greatly improve lives, offering a new paradigm for chronic pain management.

Detailed Description

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Participants who consent to the study will undergo a comprehensive baseline assessment.

Baseline: During this visit, the patient will receive a chiropractic physician examination that will include reflexes, myotome, dermatome, and orthopedic assessments. If the examination provides evidence of an intervertebral disc pathology and/or sciatica, the patient will be referred to an MRI assessment to confirm diagnosis for standard of care. Based on these assessments, the research team will determine if the participant meets the initial criteria to continue with participation.

Randomization: Participants will be randomized to either non-surgical spinal decompression (20 treatments) or placebo (20 treatments). Participants will not be able to choose the treatment. The participant nor the investigators will know which treatment you are receiving. If a participant receives the placebo treatment, once they are unblinded, they will be able to receive non-surgical spinal decompression should they elect to do so.

Pre-intervention Assessments: Assessments prior to intervention will include 1) 3D motion capture performing functional tasks, 2) electromyography of the lower back and legs, 3) myotonometer tonometry, 4) range of motion, and 5) Sensorimotor reflex measurement. In addition, the participant will complete online questionnaires that include the Defense Veterans Pain Rating Scale 2.0, PROMIS Pain Interference, PROMIS Physical Function, Central Sensitization Inventory, and the Oswestry Disability Index.

Post-intervention Assessments: Assessments after intervention will include 1) 3D motion capture performing functional tasks, 2) electromyography of the lower back and legs, 3) myotonometer tonometry, 4) range of motion, and 5) Sensorimotor reflex measurement. In addition, the participant will complete online questionnaires that include the Defense Veterans Pain Rating Scale 2.0, PROMIS Pain Interference, PROMIS Physical Function, Central Sensitization Inventory, and the Oswestry Disability Index.

Conditions

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Low Back Pain Herniation, Disc Sciatic Radiculopathy Intervertebral Disc Stenosis of Neural Canal Intervertebral Disc Injury

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Primary Study Purpose

TREATMENT

Blinding Strategy

QUADRUPLE

Participants Caregivers Investigators Outcome Assessors

Study Groups

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NSSD

This group will receive non-surgical spinal decompression (20x over 6-8 weeks). Non-surgical spinal decompression is performed by securing the pelvis in a brace and stabilizing the upper torso. The decompression device provides an inferior force along a vector targeting the level of pathology by pulling on the pelvic brace. This causes a comfortable decompression of the spine.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

NSSD

Intervention Type DEVICE

A robotically-controlled distractive force is applied to the lower back to produce decompression of the spinal column.

Sham NSSD

This group will receive sham non-surgical spinal decompression (20x over 6-8 weeks). Sham non-surgical spinal decompression is performed by securing the pelvis in a brace and stabilizing the upper torso. The decompression device provides an inferior force along a vector targeting the level of pathology by pulling on the pelvic brace, but at a force that does not cause decompression of the spine. This is not perceivable by the participant.

Group Type SHAM_COMPARATOR

Sham NSSD

Intervention Type DEVICE

A robotically-controlled distractive force (lower than the intervention) is applied to tension the belt and create a sense of decompression without producing decompression of the spinal column.

Interventions

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NSSD

A robotically-controlled distractive force is applied to the lower back to produce decompression of the spinal column.

Intervention Type DEVICE

Sham NSSD

A robotically-controlled distractive force (lower than the intervention) is applied to tension the belt and create a sense of decompression without producing decompression of the spinal column.

Intervention Type DEVICE

Other Intervention Names

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Vertebral Axial Decompression Traction Vertebral Axial Decompression Traction

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

\- Diagnosis of chronic LBP for a minimum of 3 months caused by pathological intervertebral disc, degenerative disc disease, posterior facet syndrome, and/or sciatica.

Exclusion Criteria

* Known serious spinal pathology (e.g., vertebral fracture, tumor, osteoporosis)
* Evidence of central nervous system involvement of pain
* Other chronic pain conditions
* Pregnancy
* Spinal fusion
* Inability to comply with treatment schedule
* Inability to complete MRIs (e.g., claustrophobia, pacemaker, ferromagnetic implants)
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

65 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

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Stanford University

OTHER

Sponsor Role collaborator

U.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command

FED

Sponsor Role collaborator

University of South Florida

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Responsibility Role SPONSOR

Principal Investigators

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Nathan D Schilaty, DC, PhD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

University of South Florida

Locations

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Stanford University

Stanford, California, United States

Site Status ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING

University of South Florida

Tampa, Florida, United States

Site Status RECRUITING

Countries

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United States

Central Contacts

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Nathan D Schilaty, DC, PhD

Role: CONTACT

(813) 974-1377

Lauren Luginsland, PhD

Role: CONTACT

813-974-1112

Facility Contacts

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Stephanie Rios

Role: primary

813-974-5638

References

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Ramos G, Martin W. Effects of vertebral axial decompression on intradiscal pressure. J Neurosurg. 1994 Sep;81(3):350-3. doi: 10.3171/jns.1994.81.3.0350.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 8057141 (View on PubMed)

Ramos G. Efficacy of vertebral axial decompression on chronic low back pain: study of dosage regimen. Neurol Res. 2004 Apr;26(3):320-4. doi: 10.1179/016164104225014030.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 15142327 (View on PubMed)

Gose EE, Naguszewski WK, Naguszewski RK. Vertebral axial decompression therapy for pain associated with herniated or degenerated discs or facet syndrome: an outcome study. Neurol Res. 1998 Apr;20(3):186-90. doi: 10.1080/01616412.1998.11740504.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 9583577 (View on PubMed)

Macario A, Richmond C, Auster M, Pergolizzi JV. Treatment of 94 outpatients with chronic discogenic low back pain with the DRX9000: a retrospective chart review. Pain Pract. 2008 Jan-Feb;8(1):11-7. doi: 10.1111/j.1533-2500.2007.00167.x.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 18211590 (View on PubMed)

Karimi N, Akbarov P, Rahnama L. Effects of segmental traction therapy on lumbar disc herniation in patients with acute low back pain measured by magnetic resonance imaging: A single arm clinical trial. J Back Musculoskelet Rehabil. 2017;30(2):247-253. doi: 10.3233/BMR-160741.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 27636836 (View on PubMed)

Related Links

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Other Identifiers

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STUDY007409: NSSD-RESTORE

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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