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NCT Number: NCT07615816

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

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).

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Key information

Conditions

Lower Back Pain Back Pain Low Back Pain Medical Massage Therapy Neurologic Manifestations Pain Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Signs and Symptoms Subacute Lower Back Pain

Age range

18 year–64 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

About this study

Musculoskeletal injuries (MSKI) affect approximately 800,000 service members (SMs) annually and result in 25 million days of limited duty. These conditions account for 34% of medical evacuations from theatre, and are the primary reasons for medical separation. Low back pain (LBP) is the leading cause of MSKI amongst active-duty service members (ADSMs) with a lifetime prevalence rate of up to 80%. The burden of disease for LBP is reaching $100 billion annually in the United States and new methods for prevention and treatment are necessary.

At the present time, there is no "gold standard" for LBP management and strong evidence as to what is most beneficial is lacking. One of the most promising medical options for LBP is massage therapy (MT), given that no special equipment is needed, it can be delivered anywhere, it is non-habit forming, and the likelihood for serious harm is low. Massage therapy is unique in that it can naturally enhance local blood flow, thereby providing vital oxygen and nutrients to areas damaged by MSKI to promote healing, offers relaxation and normalization of soft tissue which reduces pain, lessens swelling, clears local pain mediators, improves cognitive/psychosocial complications (e.g., depression, anxiety, etc.), aids in sleep quality, and provides a positive hormone release. To date, however, there has not been a large randomized control trial (RCT) performed on patients with subacute LBP to demonstrate healing and preventing patients from becoming chronically injured.

To address this limitation, we will enroll a total of 200 patients to assess the efficacy of medical massage therapy (MMT) combined with standard of care (SoC) in ADSMs with subacute LBP (intervention) as compared to SoC only (control). Five specific aims have been designed to understand if weekly MMT can reduce medically restricted duty days (MRDD) (Aim #1), decrease pain/disability and improve sleep quality (Aim #2), and lessen the need for prescription medications (Aim #3). Data will be aggregated at the end of the study through survey tools and self-reported information to understand the economic impact of (Aim #4) and to understand which patient phenotypes are optimal for future care (Aim #5).

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

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

Treatment and study plan

Medical Massage Therapy

Procedure

Massage and educational treatment provided by a licensed massage therapist.

Provider Directed Care

Other

Provider directed care (i.e. Physical Therapy)

Primary outcomes

  1. Modified Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Index (M-ODI)

    Time frame: 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.

  2. Satisfaction and Treatment History Self-Reported Data

    Time frame: Week 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.

  3. Work Productivity and Activity Impairment Questionnaire (WPAI-LBP)

    Time frame: 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.

  4. Defense and Veterans Pain Rating Scale (DVPRS)

    Time frame: 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.

  5. Global Pain Scale (GPS)

    Time frame: 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.

  6. Global Rating of Change Score (GRoC)

    Time frame: 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.

  7. Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS-29)

    Time frame: 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.

  8. Physical Therapy Appointment History

    Time frame: Week 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?

  9. Military Specific Duty Status

    Time frame: Baseline Visit, Week 1-12 Visits, and Final Follow-up Visit (up to 16 weeks after Baseline Visit)

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Brad M. Isaacson, PhD, MBA, MSF, PMP

CONTACT

[email protected]

Janel Son, MPH

CONTACT

[email protected]

253-968-3288

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

The Geneva Foundation

Other

Collaborators

  • Madigan Army Medical Center
  • Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences

Registry information

Acronym: Zeel LBP

Important dates

Study start
2026
Primary completion
2027
Study completion
2027
First posted
May 29, 2026
Registry last updated
Jun 5, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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