Investigating Medical Massage Therapy for Patients With Sub-Acute Lower Back Pain
The Geneva Foundation
Summary
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).
Description
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 L…