RecruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

Neuroimmune Responses to Exercise in Chronic Back Pain

This research wants to understand how exercise helps people with long-lasting back pain. It's a study comparing a 12-week online exercise program with a group that waits to start. Researchers will look at how exercise changes the body and brain, particularly the immune system and brain function, in people with chronic back pain. They will also compare these findings with healthy individuals. If you take part, you might fill out questionnaires, give blood samples, and have brain scans. The aim is to find out why exercise is good for back pain and how to make these treatments even better.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

McGill University

Enrolment target

216

Start

01 Jun 2025

Estimated completion

30 Jun 2029

Chronic Low Back Pain (CLBP)

What is this study about?

Many people suffer from chronic low back pain, and it can make everyday life difficult. While we know exercise often helps, we don't fully understand *how* it works inside the body, especially concerning the immune system and the brain. There's a growing idea that long-term back pain isn't just about problems with the back itself, but also involves the way the immune system and brain interact, particularly in areas related to how we feel rewards and emotions.

This study aims to fill that gap. Researchers want to see how a structured exercise program changes the immune system and brain activity in people with chronic back pain. They will compare a group doing a 12-week online exercise program with another group that waits to start. They'll also compare people with back pain to healthy individuals to get a clearer picture of these differences. By looking closely at how exercise affects these systems, the study hopes to find new ways to improve treatments for chronic back pain.

Ultimately, this research could lead to better understanding and more effective exercise programs, helping more people find relief from their chronic back pain. It's about figuring out the science behind why exercise can be such a powerful tool for recovery.

Key takeaways

The study explores how exercise helps chronic back pain by looking at the immune system and brain.
It compares a 12-week online exercise program with a waiting list group.
Participation involves questionnaires, blood tests, and brain scans (MRI).
It aims to make exercise treatments for back pain more effective.
You can withdraw from the study at any time.

Who may be eligible?

To join this study, your chronic low back pain must be your main issue, not caused by something serious like a fracture or cancer. You need to have had constant back pain for at least three months, or pain that comes and goes for most of the past six months. Your pain should be at least a 4 out of 10 on a pain scale.

If you have other serious health problems like diabetes, a brain disorder, significant heart or breathing issues, or have other pain that's worse than your back pain, you likely won't be able to take part. You also shouldn't be regularly exercising for more than an hour a week already. If you have any metal implants in your body, are pregnant, or are very uncomfortable in small spaces (claustrophobic), you won't be able to have the brain scans, which means you might not be suitable for the study.

Healthy volunteers aged 18 to 75 are also needed, but they cannot have symptoms or a diagnosis of any chronic conditions.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Is your main pain in your lower back?
Have you had lower back pain for at least 3 months, or off-and-on for at least 6 months?
Is your low back pain at least a 4 out of 10 on a normal day?
Do you *not* regularly exercise for more than an hour a week?
Do you *not* have a diagnosis of diabetes, a brain disorder, or serious heart/breathing problems?
Are you able to have an MRI scan (e.g., no metal implants, not pregnant, not very claustrophobic)?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you join this study, you'll either be asked to follow a 12-week online exercise program or be in a 'waitlist' group, meaning you'd do the exercise program later. You'll answer questionnaires about your pain and general health, and researchers will assess your pain during certain movements. You’ll also provide blood samples, which will be used to look at markers related to your immune system. Additionally, you will have brain imaging scans (MRI) to see how your brain functions. Some participants will also have their heart rate variability measured. Both at the start and during the study, the team will check how your body responds to exercise, including early immune changes. The total duration of active participation for those in the exercise group would be 12 weeks, with assessments before and after this period.

Potential risks and benefits

Participating in research always has potential benefits and risks. You might not directly benefit from taking part, but your contribution will be valuable in helping us understand chronic back pain and improve treatments for others. Exercise is generally safe, but like any physical activity, there's a small risk of discomfort or injury. The blood tests involve a needle stick, and MRI scans involve being in an enclosed space without radiation. You will receive detailed information about all potential risks before deciding to join. Remember, taking part is completely voluntary, and you are free to withdraw from the study at any time without explaining why, and it won't affect your medical care.

Locations (1)

Montreal General Hospital
Verified postcode
Montreal, Canada· Recruiting

Common questions

What is 'chronic low back pain'?

It means you've had back pain that lasts for a long time, usually three months or more.

What kind of exercise will I do?

The study involves a 12-week online exercise program. The details of the exercises would be given to you if you’re in that group.

Will I have to pay for anything?

No, all study-related treatments and assessments are provided at no cost to you.

What do the brain scans involve?

You'll have an MRI scan, which uses magnets and radio waves (not X-rays) to take pictures of your brain. You'll lie still inside a scanner.

What is a 'waitlist' group?

A waitlist group means you'd act as a comparison, and if the exercise program is effective, you might be offered the intervention once the study is complete or at a later stage.

How to find out more

Carlos Gevers Montoro, PhD

carlos.geversmontoro@mcgill.ca +1-8199790448 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.