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Heath Services Research Administration (HRSA) |
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Gert Bronfort, DC, PhD, Northwestern Health Sciences University |
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This study is completed and closed to enrollment. This is a
randomized, observer-blinded clinical trial comparing chiropractic
spinal manipulation,
rehabilitative
exercise,
and
self-care education for patients with chronic low back pain. Interventions
are compared for their short- and long-term efficacy, as well as
their cost-effectiveness and cost-utility. For more information
please see http://www.nwhealth.edu/research/projects/hrsalbp.html. |
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Role of the Berman Center |
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Berman Center investigators serve on the study’s Steering
Committee and provide advice on recruitment and data management
strategies. |
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Low back pain (LBP) has been referred to by some as a “20th
century health care disaster.” Despite the considerable number
of studies performed, it remains a significant public health problem.
The broad, long-term objective of this study is to identify effective
therapies for LBP sufferers and to increase understanding of its
implications. This randomized, observer-blinded clinical trial
will compare the following treatments for patients with non-acute
LBP: |
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• chiropractic spinal manipulation |
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• rehabilitative exercise |
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• self-care education (a minimal intervention control) |
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The study will examine the relative efficacy of these three interventions
in terms of patient-rated outcomes in the short term (after 12
weeks) and long term (after 52 weeks). The study also will evaluate
the relative cost-effectiveness and cost utility of the three treatments,
assess if there are treatment group differences in subgroups of
LBP patients, evaluate changes in objective lumbar spine function,
evaluate if lumbar function is associated with changes in patient-rated
outcomes, identify predictors of outcome, and describe patients’ perceptions
of outcome measures used in clinical trials. |
