Study of Lumbar Brace Use in Emergency Department Patients with Low Back Pain Effects on Pain, Spine Function, Painkiller Use, and Healthcare Resources

What this Trial Is About

Low back pain is a widespread condition causing significant health care costs, often without a clear cause. This research evaluates whether wearing a lumbar brace after emergency department visits for benign low back pain can reduce pain, improve spine function, decrease painkiller use including opioids, and lower future health care resource use. The study is a randomized controlled trial aiming to provide emergency staff with better pain control options beyond medications. Participants with benign low back pain will be randomly assigned to either wear a semi-rigid lumbar brace for six weeks during the day along with their usual care or to continue their current back pain management without a brace. The brace is adjustable to fit various waist sizes and is designed to limit lumbar spine movement without restricting overall spinal function. Both groups will be monitored over time with data collected through questionnaires and electronic monitoring of brace use. Participants will complete self-reported surveys measuring pain and disability at baseline and at multiple follow-up points up to 12 months. A temperature and force sensor in the brace will track how long and how tightly it is worn. Text messages will be sent three times per week for four weeks to gather ongoing data about pain, function, brace use, and painkiller consumption. Researchers will also analyze health care use data from the year before and during the study to explore broader impacts. The study is designed with blinded outcome assessors and statisticians to reduce bias.

Lumbar Brace Deployment in the Emergency Department for Benign Low Back Pain