https://pittplusme.org/study/1045
MedExT: Meditation and Exercise for the Treatment of Chronic Low Back Pain
STUDY BASICS
Suffering from low back pain for at least 6 months and aged 18-60? If so, you may be able to take part in a research study to find out if exercise and meditation can improve symptoms of low back pain. Compensation provided.
STUDY PURPOSE
Pain in the lower back is a common problem and a leading cause of disability. Low back pain that lasts for a long time is called chronic back pain. Treatments for chronic low back pain can include medication, massage, cold and heat therapy, physical therapy, and even surgery, but these types of treatments are not always effective. Some research has shown that meditation and exercise on their own can improve the physical and mental symptoms that are associated with chronic pain. The purpose of this study is to find out if a treatment that combines meditation and exercise can produce even greater benefits for people with chronic low back pain. Researchers hope their findings will lead to reduced back pain in study participants and better treatments for this condition in the future.COULD THIS STUDY BE RIGHT FOR YOU?
- Ages 18-60
- Have had low back pain for the past 6 months
WHAT PARTICIPANTS CAN EXPECT
Following an initial visit to verify eligibility and undergo training, you will be asked to participate in 20 intervention sessions across 4 consecutive weeks (5 sessions per week). The first session of each week will take place at the Duquesne University Exercise Clinic. For the remaining four sessions of the week, participants may complete exercise activities at a location of their choosing. Participants will be randomly assigned (like the flip of a coin) to one of four different treatment groups in this trial. These groups include a control condition where we will look at the stability of your pain across time, an exercise only condition, a meditation only condition, or a combined meditation and exercise group. If you are randomly chosen for the control group, you may chose at no cost to participate in the combined treatment group at the end of the study. All groups will have their overall health, fitness, and back pain assessed through questionnaires and sensory tests throughout the study.IRB: 2017/05/12
- Combined exercise and mediation as a treatment for patients with chronic back pain
MEET THE RESEARCHERS
Eric Helm
Eric Helm, MD, is an assistant professor in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the University of Pittsburgh and serves as an educator at the Duquesne University Pain Undergraduate Research Experience Program. He is also co-director of the Southside Hospital Outpatient Procedure Center where his focus is on cause and treatment of chronic pain. Dr. Helm earned his BS degree at the University of Dayton and his medical degree from the University of Toledo College of Medicine. He completed his residency and fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh. Dr. Helm’s areas of interest include spinal cord stimulation, Dorsal root ganglion stimulation in amputees, interventional spine procedures, diagnostic ultrasound, ultrasound-guided procedures, and comprehensive pain medicine programs.
Matthew Kostek
Matthew Kostek, PhD, FACSM, is an assistant professor in the Department of Physical Therapy and founder and current director of the Laboratory of Muscle and Translational Therapeutics in the Rangos School of Health Sciences at Duquesne University. Dr. Kostek earned his BS degree at Youngstown State University, an MS degree in Clinical Exercise Physiology from Ball State University, and PhD at the University of Maryland. Dr. Kostek completed his post-doctoral training at Children’s National Medical Center and George Washington University School of Medicine, Washington, DC, in the molecular genetics of skeletal muscle. His research focuses on the molecular mechanisms and rehabilitation outcomes of therapeutic interventions to treat skeletal muscle loss due to injury, aging, or disease.
MEET THE COORDINATOR
Anna Polaski
Anna Polaski is a doctoral student in Biological Sciences at Duquesne University, and a graduate of Mercyhurst University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. The focus of Ms. Polaski’s research is to study how exercise and stress affects pain. She is also interested in the use of exercise and meditation as a therapeutic intervention for chronic pain patients.