Influence of Opioid Use on the Effects of Spinal Manipulative Therapy for Low Back Pain

Summary

This project is a supplement to the parent project (UH3AT009293) entitled "Optimization of Spinal Manipulative Therapy (SMT) Protocols". The goal of the parent project is to examine strategies to optimize SMT treatment protocols for patients with low back pain (LBP). The parent project is investigating mechanistic and clinical outcomes of SMT combined with varying co-interventions. This supplemental project will examine the impact of opioid use on these outcomes.

Conditions

• Low Back Pain
• Opioid Use

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

SMT

The subject is supine. The clinician stands opposite the side to be manipulated and side-bends the subject away from the side to manipulate. The side to be manipulated is the more painful. If the subject cannot identify a more painful side the clinician selects a side. The clinician rotates the subject, and delivers a high-velocity, low-amplitude (HVLA) thrust to the pelvis in a posterior/inferior direction. The clinician notes if a cavitation (ie, a "pop") occurred. If it does, SMT treatment is complete. If no cavitation occurs, the subject is repositioned and SMT is performed again. If no cavitation occurs on the second attempt, the clinician manipulates the opposite side. A maximum of 2 attempts per side is permitted. If no cavitation is noted by that time, SMT treatment is complete. Substitution with a side-posture HVLA technique is allowed if the preferred technique is not possible due to subject preference or comfort.

BEHAVIORAL

Activation Exercises

Activation exercises are designed to facilitate use of the lumbar multifidus muscle. Exercises will begin with isometric multifidus contractions in different positions with clinician feedback and exercises to isometrically co-contract the multifidus and deep abdominal muscles. Subjects will also perform lumbar extensor strengthening exercises shown to produce 20%-50% of multifidus maximum voluntary contraction. Subjects will continue to perform isometric exercises throughout treatment. Subjects will perform their prescribed exercises at treatment sessions and will be instructed to perform the exercises daily on other days.

BEHAVIORAL

Mobilizing Exercises

Mobilizing exercises include a program of repeated movements progressing into end-ranges of spinal flexion and/or extension shown in past studies to improve ROM and reduce spinal stiffness. Patients will be instructed in mid-range exercises and will be further assessed for a directional preference. A directional preference is present if movement in a particular direction decreases LBP intensity or causes symptoms to centralize towards the midline. If a subject has a directional preference he or she will be prescribed exercises specifically in that direction along with mid-range exercise. Otherwise the subject will be assigned exercises moving into either flexion or extension based on the clinician's discretion. Subjects will perform their prescribed exercises at treatment sessions and will be instructed to perform the exercises daily on other days.

BEHAVIORAL

Extended SMT

Additional 6 SMT sessions provided

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Utah

  lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

DOUBLE

Model

FACTORIAL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Max Age

60 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2019-01-17

Primary Completion

2020-03-03

Completion

2020-03-03

Countries

• United States

Study Locations