Upright Back Posture Device Study

Columbia University

Status: Completed

Conditions: Lower Back Pain; Back Pain; Postural Low Back Pain

Treatments: Device: Upright Go Device; Other: Ergonomic Handout

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT03769246

AAAR4123

Details and patient eligibility

About

This is a randomized controlled study to determine if patients between the ages of 18-50 years, with posture related low back pain, who use the Upright device demonstrate improved pain control and self perception of posture compared to those given standard ergonomic instruction.

Full description

Back pain is a common complaint among students. For many, back pain is directly related to poor posture while sitting and standing. Those who spend prolonged time sitting in poor posture often develop muscular imbalances leading to tight chest muscles and weakness in back muscles. The Upright system is a device which helps provide a sensory reminder to alert users when their posture is poor. The purpose of this study is to determine if patients who use the upright posture device demonstrate improved pain control and self perception of posture when compared to those given standard ergonomic instruction.

Enrollment: 30 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 50 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Postural-related back pain

Exclusion criteria

• A diagnosis of significant scoliosis, herniated/bulging disc, lumbar spondylolysis, radiculitis, facet arthrosis, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, seronegative spondyloarthropathy.
• Neurologic deficits on exam
• Currently in physical therapy (PT)

Trial design

Primary purpose: Supportive Care

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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30 participants in 2 patient groups

Upright Go Device Group

Experimental group

Description:

Patients receiving the Upright device will have a brief training on the use of the device and proper posture. They will be asked to download the Upright app on their phone from the Playstore. Patients will wear the device once daily for training. They will attach the device applying an adhesive on their upper back, as instructed, and the device will be attached to the adhesive by velcro. Once completed they should remove adhesive.

Treatment:

Device: Upright Go Device

Control Group

Active Comparator group

Description:

The control group will receive a 15-20 minute instruction on proper posture by the physician and will receive an ergonomic handout.

Treatment:

Other: Ergonomic Handout