NCT00101387

Brief Summary

The purpose of this study is to determine whether a form of electrical acupuncture, called percutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (PENS), can reduce pain and disability in older adults with chronic low back pain (LBP). This study will also determine the effects of general conditioning and aerobic exercise (GCAE) on chronic LBP.

Trial Health

100
On Track

Trial Health Score

Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach

Enrollment
200

participants targeted

Target at P25-P50 for phase_3 low-back-pain

Timeline
Completed

Started Sep 2003

Longer than P75 for phase_3 low-back-pain

Status
completed

Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.

Trial Relationships

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Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

Study Start

First participant enrolled

September 1, 2003

Completed
1.4 years until next milestone

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

January 10, 2005

Completed
1 day until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

January 11, 2005

Completed
3 years until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

January 1, 2008

Completed
Same day until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

January 1, 2008

Completed
Last Updated

February 18, 2011

Status Verified

February 1, 2011

Enrollment Period

4.3 years

First QC Date

January 10, 2005

Last Update Submit

February 17, 2011

Conditions

Keywords

AgedAcupuncture

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

  • Roland and Morris questionnaire

    Baseline, post-intervention, 6 months

Study Arms (4)

Lumbar PENS + exercise

EXPERIMENTAL

Lumbar PENS twice a week for six weeks combined with general conditioning and aerobic exercise

Other: Lumbar PENS + General Conditioning and Aerobic Exercise

Lumbar PENS

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Lumbar PENS twice a week for 6 weeks

Other: Lumbar PENS

Control PENS

PLACEBO COMPARATOR

Control lumbar PENS twice a week for 6 weeks

Other: Control Lumbar PENS

Control PENS + exercise

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Control PENS twice a week for 6 weeks along with general conditioning and aerobic exercise

Other: Control PENS + exercise

Interventions

As above

Lumbar PENS

Identical needle placement as with PENS procedure, but only control needles stimulated for 5 minutes.

Control PENS

as above

Control PENS + exercise

Eligibility Criteria

Age65 Years+
Sexall
Healthy VolunteersNo
Age GroupsOlder Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

  • Low back pain for at least 3 months
  • Able to walk without an assistive device (e.g., cane or walker)

You may not qualify if:

  • Serious underlying illness causing back pain
  • Nerve root compression
  • History of back surgery
  • Has pacemaker
  • Current use of blood thinners
  • Major psychiatric disorder
  • Chest pains or heart problems that interfere with daily activity
  • Fibromyalgia

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Low Back Pain

Interventions

Exercise

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Back PainPainNeurologic ManifestationsSigns and SymptomsPathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Motor ActivityMovementMusculoskeletal Physiological PhenomenaMusculoskeletal and Neural Physiological Phenomena

Study Officials

  • Debra K. Weiner, MD

    Pain Evaluation and Treatment Institute

    PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
phase 3
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Masking
SINGLE
Who Masked
OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
Purpose
TREATMENT
Intervention Model
PARALLEL
Sponsor Type
OTHER

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

January 10, 2005

First Posted

January 11, 2005

Study Start

September 1, 2003

Primary Completion

January 1, 2008

Study Completion

January 1, 2008

Last Updated

February 18, 2011

Record last verified: 2011-02