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Yoga vs. Education for Veterans With Chronic Low Back Pain
NCT02224183 · View on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
Study Summary
Chronic low back pain (cLBP) is the most common pain condition in the military, causing substantial physical and psychological suffering, reduction in force readiness, and high economic cost. Yoga has been studied in 10 RCTs in civilian populations with cLBP suggesting it may be effective in reducing pain intensity, improving back-related function, and lowering pain medication use. Multiple differences exist between civilian and military populations with cLBP, making it necessary to adapt and test yoga for cLBP in military populations. This study's primary aim is to evaluate the effectiveness of yoga for reducing pain in military personnel and Veterans with cLBP through a structured, reproducible 12-week series of hatha yoga classes, supplemented with home practice, compared to an education group. Additionally, the enormous mental health burden often shouldered by returning military personnel presents another important distinguishing factor. Thus, the study's secondary aim is to assess yoga's capacity to reduce post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS). The third aim is to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of yoga for cLBP at 3 months and 6 months from the perspective of the provider, the Veteran, and the Veterans Health Administration. The fourth and final aim is to evaluate the effect of back pain and yoga on marital and family functioning. The proposed RCT will (1) establish a structured reproducible yoga protocol uniquely suited to Veterans populations with cLBP; (2) develop web-based delivery systems to assist Veterans in yoga home practice; (3) increase our knowledge of the feasibility and impact of yoga for Veterans' cLBP and psychological comorbidities. These results will help determine whether yoga is an effective modality for addressing cLBP in a Veteran population.
Conditions Studied
Interventions
- BEHAVIORAL Education
- BEHAVIORAL Yoga
Study Locations (1)
Massachusetts
- Bedford VA Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial VA Hospital — Bedford
Trial Details
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Enrollment Target | 120 participants |
| Start Date | 2015-03 |
| Est. Completion | 2016-07 |
| Phase | NA |
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Full Details on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗What the Registry Record Tells You About NCT02224183
The ClinicalTrials.gov registry entry for NCT02224183 describes a study currently listed as completed. It is categorized as NA, which is the standard way researchers label where a study sits along the investigational pathway from early safety work through later efficacy and post-marketing evaluation. The registered enrollment target is 120 participants, a figure that helps gauge the scale of data the investigators plan to collect. The listed sponsor is Boston Medical Center, which has 192 total studies on file at ClinicalTrials.gov, and sponsors are the parties responsible for study design, oversight, and regulatory filings.
The record links to 1 condition, with Recurrent Low Back Pain appearing as the primary indexed condition, and to 2 interventions — of which Education is the first listed. Interventions can include drugs, devices, procedures, behavioral programs, or observational arms, and each is tracked as a separate registry field so that downstream queries can filter accurately. When a trial lists multiple interventions, it usually reflects a multi-arm design or a comparison protocol rather than a single treatment being tested in isolation. The brief summary published in the registry is the clearest source of protocol intent and should be read before drawing conclusions from any sidebar tags.
Geographic footprint matters for practical reasons: NCT02224183 reports 1 study location spanning 1 distinct geographic area — top geographies include Massachusetts. A larger site network tends to correlate with broader recruitment capacity, but it does not imply anything about study quality, and site-level enrollment status can diverge from the overall registry status shown above. Every data point on this page comes from the public ClinicalTrials.gov dataset and is reproduced here for reference only; it is not a medical recommendation, an endorsement of the sponsor, or an invitation to enroll. Verify current status, eligibility criteria, and contact details directly at ClinicalTrials.gov, and discuss any participation decision with your own healthcare provider.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is clinical trial NCT02224183 about?
NCT02224183 is a clinical study titled "Yoga vs. Education for Veterans With Chronic Low Back Pain". Chronic low back pain (cLBP) is the most common pain condition in the military, causing substantial physical and psychological suffering, reduction in force readiness, and high economic cost. Yoga has been studied in 10 RCTs in civilian populations with cLBP suggesting it may be effective in reducin...
What is the current status of trial NCT02224183?
This trial is currently completed. It is a NA study. The enrollment target is 120 participants. The study started on 2015-03. Estimated completion is 2016-07.
What conditions does trial NCT02224183 study?
This clinical trial studies the following conditions: Recurrent Low Back Pain. These conditions were identified from the trial registry and reflect the primary focus areas of the research.
What interventions are being tested in trial NCT02224183?
The interventions under investigation include: Education (BEHAVIORAL), Yoga (BEHAVIORAL). Each intervention is being evaluated for safety and efficacy as part of this clinical study.
Who is sponsoring clinical trial NCT02224183?
This trial is sponsored by Boston Medical Center, which has 192 total clinical trials registered on ClinicalTrials.gov. The sponsor is responsible for the study's design, funding, and regulatory compliance.
Where is trial NCT02224183 being conducted?
This trial has 1 study location across Massachusetts. Contact the study sites directly through ClinicalTrials.gov for enrollment availability.
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