NCT07497425 Neuroimmune Responses to Exercise in Chronic Back Pain
| NCT ID | NCT07497425 |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Phase | — |
| Sponsor | McGill University |
| Condition | Chronic Low Back Pain (CLBP) |
| Study Type | INTERVENTIONAL |
| Enrollment | 216 participants |
| Start Date | 2025-06-01 |
| Primary Completion | 2028-12-31 |
Eligibility & Interventions
Eligibility Fast-Check
Enter your details for a quick preliminary check. This does not replace medical advice.
What to Expect as a Participant
You will actively receive the study intervention — which may be a drug, biologic, device, or procedure.
This trial targets 216 participants in total. It began in 2025-06-01 with a primary completion date of 2028-12-31.
⚠ This information is for research awareness only. Always consult your physician before joining any clinical trial. Participation is voluntary and you may withdraw at any time.
Brief Summary
The goal of this mechanistic clinical trial is to learn how physical exercise affects the body and brain in people with chronic low back pain. The study will examine whether a 12-week online exercise program changes these measures compared with a waitlist group. Researchers will also study immune activity and brain function in people with chronic low back pain and compare them with healthy participants. Participants will complete questionnaires, provide blood samples, and undergo brain imaging scans.
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria-CLBP patients: * Have a diagnosis of chronic primary LBP, according to the criteria established by NIH Task Force on Research Standards for CLBP (Deyo et al., 2015). This will be determined by 1) the response to the National Institutes of Health minimum dataset for CLBP (NIH-md), including that LBP has been persistent for at least 3 months or recurrent for at least half of the days in the past 6 months, and 2) the results of a complete case history and physical examination (including functional tasks, quantitative sensory testing, and, if needed, neuro-orthopedic, palpation and range of motion assessments); * Report a CLBP intensity of at least 4 in a 0-10 numerical rating scale (0 = no pain, 10 = maximum possible pain). Inclusion Criteria-Healthy controls: \- Be over 18 years and under 75 years of age; Exclusion Criteria-CLBP patients: * Present any red flags indicative of serious pathology comorbid or as the cause of CLBP (Finucane et al., 2020); * Have a CLBP phenotype characterized by predominant nociceptive (as in fracture, infection, malignancy, inflammatory or rheumatic spondyloarthropathy, cauda equina syndrome, confirmed by MRI when suspected) or neuropathic pain mechanisms, the latter assessed through score in the DN4 questionnaire (Nijs, et al., 2024); * Present chronic or acute pain of higher intensity or perceived disability in any other body site than the low back; * Medical history of diabetes, neurological or psychiatric disorder; * Presence of significant cardiorespiratory problems or any other potential contraindications to physical exercise as assessed through the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire for Everyone (PAR-Q+); * Following a regular structured PE training program (\>60 min/week) at study's onset, and; * Presence of any contraindications to MRI examination (including any metallic implants or devices, being pregnant, and claustrophobia). Exclusion criteria-Healthy controls: * Have symptoms or a diagnosis of any acute or chronic pain conditions; * Medical history of diabetes, neurological or psychiatric disorder; * Presence of significant cardiorespiratory problems or any other potential contraindications to physical exercise as assessed through the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire for Everyone (PAR-Q+); * Following a regular structured PE training program (\>60 min/week) at study's onset, and; * Presence of any contraindications to MRI examination (including any metallic implants or devices, being pregnant, and claustrophobia).
Contact & Investigator
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can join the NCT07497425 clinical trial?
This trial is open to participants of all sexes, aged 18 Years or older, up to 75 Years, studying Chronic Low Back Pain (CLBP). Full inclusion and exclusion criteria are listed in the Eligibility Criteria section. Always confirm your eligibility with the research team before applying.
Is NCT07497425 currently recruiting?
Yes, NCT07497425 is actively recruiting participants. Contact the research team at carlos.geversmontoro@mcgill.ca for enrollment information.
Where is the NCT07497425 trial being conducted?
This trial is being conducted at Montreal, Canada.
Who is sponsoring the NCT07497425 clinical trial?
NCT07497425 is sponsored by McGill University. The trial plans to enroll 216 participants.