A Pilot MRI Study of Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment of Acute Low Back Pain (MRI-OMT)

Ohio University

Status: Completed

Conditions: Low Back Pain

Treatments: Other: osteopathic manipulative treatment

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT00562562

15148

Details and patient eligibility

About

This is a pilot project intended to determine the feasibility of detecting soft tissue changes in response to osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT). MRIs of the lumbar and pelvic regions of low back pain (LBP) patients will be taken once before and at two different time points after OMT. Images obtained will be quantitatively analyzed for changes in the volumes of back muscles and for changes (T2 signals) indicative of activity levels or pathological conditions. Electromyography (EMG) will be used as an independent measure of back muscle activity for comparison with MRI results.

Enrollment: 9 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 55 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Adult patients (18-55)
• Patients with LBP with acute symptoms (within last 3 weeks)
• Test positive for lumbar somatic dysfunction

Exclusion criteria

• History of any spinal injuries/surgeries

• Positive findings of frank neurological signs during physical exam

• Any other orthopedic or neurological impairment

• Unsuitable for MRI imaging:

  • Cardiac pacemaker or defibrillator
  • Severe Claustrophobia
  • Injured by a metallic object that was not removed
  • Cochlear (ear) implants
  • Surgery involving a metallic implant (e.g. knee replacement)
  • Weight more than 300 lbs/136 kg (weight limit for scanner bed)

Trial design

Primary purpose: Basic Science

Allocation: N/A

Interventional model: Single Group Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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9 participants in 1 patient group

MOT

Other group

Description:

Treatment will focus on the thoracolumbar junction, L5, the sacrum, and the pubes. Treatment will primarily utilize two techniques, muscle energy and ligamentous-articular release, but will be tailored to the findings of the individual patient.

Treatment:

Other: osteopathic manipulative treatment