Digitally Delivered Treatments to Reduce Chronic Low Back Pain

Launched by NEUROSCIENCE RESEARCH AUSTRALIA · May 14, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying a new way to help people with chronic low back pain, which is pain that lasts for a long time and often doesn't have a clear cause. Researchers want to see if using a mobile app that provides pain education and clinical hypnosis can effectively reduce pain and improve daily functioning. This approach will be compared to a standard information pamphlet that follows current guidelines. The trial is designed for adults aged 65 to 74 who are currently seeing a doctor for their back pain and have a moderate level of pain.

To participate, individuals must be experiencing chronic low back pain that can sometimes include pain in the legs, and they should have access to a smartphone or tablet with internet. However, those with specific spinal issues, recent back surgeries, or serious psychiatric conditions that are not being treated will not be eligible. Participants in the study can expect to engage with the app and may also receive support through the trial as they work to manage their pain more effectively. This trial aims to find new ways to help people live better lives despite their chronic pain.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Experiencing non-specific chronic low back pain (LBP), defined as pain between the 12th rib and the buttock crease.
• • LBP with or without leg pain (in case of leg pain, LBP is worse than leg pain).
• • Currently consulting with a general practitioner for their non-specific chronic LBP across Australia.
• • Mean pain intensity score on the Numeric Rating Scale ≥ 3/10 in the past week.
• • A score of at least moderate on question 8 of the physical functioning component of the SF-36 questionnaire.
• • Access to a mobile device with minimal requirements to download the study app (300MB).
• • An internet connection to access the mobile app functionalities.
• • Able to understand English via reading and audio materials.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Known or suspected specific spinal (e.g., radiculopathy, fracture) or specific non-spinal non- (e.g., tumour, infection) pathology.
• • Less than six months post-spinal surgery.
• • Scheduled for major surgery during the program or the follow-up period.
• • Known or suspected serious psychiatric condition not being treated by a health professional that would impact adherence to the trial activities.
• • Known or suspected sight or hearing problems that would limit access to the intervention components (reading and listening using headphones).