The goal of this study is to see if a new way to treat back pain without the use of medications is effective. We plan use Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS), a wand-like device, to excite the nerves of people with lower back pain to see if we can decrease pain and improve quality of life.
This study will have two groups and randomly assign participants to a group. One group will have their back nerves stimulated with the TMS device and the other group will not.
Participants will also need to do back exercises at home once a day, and complete questionnaires at each visit before and after each treatment. The total time commitment will be 5 to10 visits with one visit occurring each weekday and each visit lasting up to 30 minutes.
Diagnosed with chronic low back pain (greater than or equal to 12 weeks) with or without concurrent neck pain.
Low back pain in the paraspinal region (L1-S2) by asking the patient to point to their area of pain.
18 - 64 years old (on the day of informed consent)
Willing and able to attend all study visits.
Diagnosed with low back pain of less than 12 weeks duration
History of back fractures or surgical repair of the back
History of depression with vagus nerve stimulation
Any type of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), or rPMS treatment prior to study enrollment.
Joe X. Zhang
Lead sponsor
Madigan Army Medical Center
Sponsor institution