RECRUITING Not applicable ClinicalTrials.gov

Algorithm-informed Decision-making to Advance Pain Treatment

Sponsor: University of Michigan • ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT07731750

Registry updated: 2026-09-15

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Description

Researchers are exploring how certain personal factors, such as symptoms, health history, and lifestyle, may help predict which treatments will work best for someone. The purpose of this study is to evaluate how well a study algorithm chooses the best treatments for a patient when considering their unique pain characteristics.

Interventions

Algorithmically informed randomization (taking into account phenotypes) (Device)
After Phenotypic data is collected from participants, the algorithm will use that data to "rank" the likelihood of success of different treatments for an individual; it will then,randomize participants based on two patterns of assignment. And at visit 3, it will re-randomize those participants who wish to add an additional treatment modality or transfer from one modality to another.
Physical Therapy (PT) and Exercise (Behavioral)
A high-contact intervention (10 in-person sessions) involving individualized programs tailored to participant needs and guided by physical therapy best-practice guidelines. Treatment emphasizes home exercise, progressive low-intensity conditioning, and functional endurance.
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Pain (PRISM-CBT) (Behavioral)
A moderate-contact telehealth intervention (8 virtual sessions) integrating standard CBT techniques with positive activity modules to enhance engagement, mood, and self-efficacy. Weekly modules focus on pacing, cognitive reframing, relaxation, gratitude, and acts of kindness.
mHealth Acupressure Self-Management: (Behavioral)
A low-contact, self-guided intervention delivered via the MeTime mobile application, supported by brief staff instruction. Participants practice daily self-acupressure at ten standardized points for approximately 30 minutes per day, stimulating key acupoints associated with pain modulation.
Duloxetine (Drug)
This is a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) FDA-approved for chronic pain. A low-contact pharmacologic intervention consisting of an 8-week dose escalation of 60 mg duloxetine, followed by taper as indicated. Participants initiate medication at home after a standardized orientation, with remote safety and adherence check-ins.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria: * Participants must meet the definition of Chronic Low Back Pain (cLBP) described in the NIH Task Force Report on Research Standards for cLBP, i.e., low back pain present at least six months, and present more than half of those days.2 * Individuals must have a pain interference score of ≥60 on PROMIS Pain Interference. The normal population mean for pain interference is 50. Participants must be 1 standard deviation (SD) above the population mean (\>=60) for inclusion. * Individuals must be willing and eligible to receive at least three of the four proposed interventions. * Able to stand for at least 10 minutes Exclusion Criteria: * Red flags suggesting the presence of an identifiable cause of low back pain, including fever, weight loss, initiation of pain following major trauma, immunosuppression, IV drug use, recent bacterial infection, severe or persistent sensory or motor involvement of bowel, bladder, or lower extremity. * Unable to read, write of speak fluent English * Visual or hearing difficulties that would preclude participation * Active uncontrolled drug/alcohol addiction * Individuals receiving new disability or compensation or involved in litigation in the past 12 months. * Pregnancy or breastfeeding * Individuals on high doses of opioids (over 100 Oral Morphine Equivalents \[OME\] per day). * Upcoming scheduled back surgery, back surgery within the last year, or more than one back surgery in the past. * History of discitis osteomyelitis (spine infection) or spine tumor * History of an autoimmune disorder such as ankylosing spondylitis, rheumatoid arthritis, polymyalgia rheumatica, psoriatic arthritis, or lupus * History of cauda equina syndrome or spinal radiculopathy * Diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizoaffective diagnosis * Diagnosis of any vertebral fracture in the last 6 months * Osteoporosis requiring treatment (vitamin D and calcium supplements are acceptable) * Cancer * History of any bone-related cancer or cancer that metastasized to the bone * Currently in treatment for cancer or plan to start cancer treatment in the next 12 months * History of any cancer treatment in the last 24 months * Life expectancy is less than 2 years * Current/planned (in the next 2 years) enrollment in another study of a device or investigational drug that would interfere with this study, this may include participation in a blinded trial. * Any other diseases or conditions that would make a patient unsuitable for study participation as determined by the site principal investigators. This would include but not be limited to severe psychiatric disorders, active suicidal ideations or recent suicide attempts

Conditions

Chronic Low-back Pain

Locations

University of Michigan — Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States

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Official Source

Data sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov, a service of the U.S. National Institutes of Health.

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