Neural Control and Mechanosensation in Spine Muscle

Launched by UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO · May 30, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is focused on understanding low back pain (LBP) and how it affects the muscles in the lower back, especially for people with chronic disc injuries. Researchers want to learn more about how the nerves and muscles work together in patients who experience long-term back pain. By identifying the reasons why some people struggle to recover from their injuries, they hope to find better rehabilitation methods that are tailored to individual needs.

To participate in the study, individuals should be between the ages of 18 and 75 and have a history of chronic disc injury for more than three months. There are three groups in the trial: one for those planning to have surgery, another for those starting an exercise-based physical therapy program, and a third for healthy individuals with no recent back pain. Participants can expect to undergo evaluations that help researchers understand their condition better. It's important to note that people with certain medical conditions, like diabetes or a history of specific surgeries, won't be eligible to join the study.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• * Surgical group:
• • Individuals diagnosed with chronic disc injury (symptoms \> 3 months),
• • Individuals planning to undergo a spinal surgery to address the diagnosis of chronic disc injury
• • Physical Therapy Group-
• • Individuals diagnosed with chronic disc injury (symptoms \>3 months),
• • Individuals initiating an exercise-based physical therapy program to address the diagnosis of chronic disc injury
• • Healthy Control group -
• • Individuals with no history of chronic back pain (interfering pain lasting \>3 months) within the past 3 years,
• • no significant spinal pathology beyond normal age-related degenerative changes
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Surgery/Physical therapy groups-History of lumbar spine surgery
• • Diabetes
• • Neuromuscular diseases
• • Epilepsy or other seizure disorder -Healthy control group -
• • History of lumbar spine surgery
• • History of interfering pain lasting \>3 months
• • Diabetes
• • Neuromuscular diseases
• • Epilepsy or other seizure disorder