Interventional Study of Effects on Spine Height With Two Unloading Positions
Completed · Not applicable
Conditions studied: Low Back Pain
In brief
The purpose of this study is to test a physical therapy intervention for reducing pain in the low back and into the legs. With individuals over the age of 40 years, this pain may be associated to changes in back height from aging of the cushions between the back bones. When pain is caused from this, completion of different positions and rest periods have been shown to help reduce the pain, at least temporarily. This study will compare two such positions; 1)floating in deep warm water with weights attached to the ankles, to take the load off of the spine, 2)lying on their back with hip and knees flexed to a 90 degree angle. The height of each person will be measured before and after completion of each intervention using a specially designed measuring tool. Experimental hypothesis: 1. Subjects with low back and leg pain suggestive of nerve root compression syndrome will experience increase in spinal height when completing aquatic vertical suspension and/or land-based supine flexion. 2. Subjects with low back and leg pain suggestive of nerve root compression syndrome will experience greater increase in height, greater reduction of pain intensity and location when completing underwater vertical suspension as compared to supine land based flexion.
Key facts
- Study ID
- NCT01048749
- Run by
- Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
- People needed
- 60
- Starts
- 2008-08-01
- Expected to finish
- 2009-06-01
- Last updated by the study team
- 2010-01-14
Who can join
Age: 40 and older, up to 80. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.
You may qualify if…
- between the ages of 40-80 years,
- have current low back pain and/or numbness extending distal to the buttocks in the past 24 hours,
- pain level < 7/10 on the numerical rating scale, including symptom location change or pain intensity change with extension, lower limb weakness, achilles or patella reflex changes,
- reduction of lower limb sensation,
- positive SLR test.
You may not qualify if…
- inability to walk for a minimum of 15 minutes,
- inability to sit for a minimum of 5 minutes,
- inability to lie supine for a minimum of 15 minutes,
- fear of water or unwillingness to enter into a deep pool,
- allergy to chlorine,
- neurological disorders such as multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury, incontinence, or spinal fusion,
- inability to elevate either shoulder above 90 degrees,
- pregnancy,
- vertebral fracture,
- pain level above 7/10 on the numeric pain scale or pain level reported at 0/10.
Where it is running
- Cleburne Physical Therapy and Fitness Center — Cleburne, Texas, United States
Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov
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