OSTEOPAThic Health outcomes In Chronic low back pain: The OSTEOPATHIC Trial

John C Licciardone , Hollis H King , Kendi L Hensel and Daniel G Williams

The Osteopathic Research Center, University of North Texas Health Science Center-Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine, Fort Worth, TX 76107, USA

author email corresponding author email

Osteopathic Medicine and Primary Care 2008, 2:5doi:10.1186/1750-4732-2-5


Published:	25 April 2008

Abstract

Background

Osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) and ultrasound physical therapy (UPT) are commonly used for chronic low back pain. Although there is evidence from a systematic review and meta-analysis that OMT generally reduces low back pain, there are no large clinical trials that specifically assess OMT efficacy in chronic low back pain. Similarly, there is a lack of evidence involving UPT for chronic low back pain.

Methods

The OSTEOPAThic Health outcomes In Chronic low back pain (OSTEOPATHIC) Trial is a Phase III randomized controlled trial that seeks to study 488 subjects between August 2006 and June 2010. It uses a 2 × 2 factorial design to independently assess the efficacy of OMT and UPT for chronic low back pain. The primary outcome is a visual analogue scale score for pain. Secondary outcomes include back-specific functioning, generic health, work disability, and satisfaction with back care.

Conclusion

This randomized controlled trial will potentially be the largest involving OMT. It will provide long awaited data on the efficacy of OMT and UPT for chronic low back pain.

Trial registration

http://www.clinicaltrials.gov webcite, NCT00315120