Actively Recruiting
Lumbosacral Spinal Stenosis - Non-Invasive Postural Therapy for Older Adult Veterans
Led by VA Office of Research and Development · Updated on 2025-12-16
20
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
106 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Lumbosacral spinal stenosis (LSS) is a leading cause of limited mobility, reduced independence, and poor health outcomes in older adults, and is very common in older adult Veterans. Several years ago, major research studies indicated that surgery for LSS was more effective than usual (medical) management. Nonetheless, there are many patients for whom surgery is not the ideal therapy. There have been reports that modifications in daily activities including temporary use of a modified rolling walker and changes in sleep positioning may help relieve LSS. The investigators have assembled a VA team to study this carefully. The investigators will recruit a small group of older adult Veterans with LSS to try out this program; the investigators will monitor them closely for relief of their symptoms and improvements in walking. The investigators will, as part of this small study, try to understand potential barriers to use of this therapy. The investigators will interview the Veterans and healthcare providers to identify problems that may arise in trying this therapy. If this small study works, the investigators plan to expand the effort.
CONDITIONS
Official Title
Lumbosacral Spinal Stenosis - Non-Invasive Postural Therapy for Older Adult Veterans
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Veteran receiving care at participating VA
- Able to read, write, and understand English instructions
- Agrees to follow study instructions
- Symptoms present for over 3 months
- Diagnosed with Lumbar Spinal Stenosis causing symptoms
- Discomfort with low back pain and/or neurogenic claudication of legs or thighs
- Back and/or leg symptoms greater than 3/10 triggered by walking or standing
- X-ray, CT, or MRI within last 12 months showing Lumbar Spinal Stenosis at 1 or 2 levels
- Prior treatment for Spinal Stenosis including therapy, medication, or epidural injections, but not surgery
- Pain relief within 5 minutes of sitting down
- Ability to walk 50 feet without cane or walker
- General health allows activity increase if symptoms improve
- Steady handrail if home has stairs and multiple levels
- Regular transportation by car or car service (not bus)
- Home allows walking on flat surfaces without hills
You will not qualify if you...
- Previous low back surgery for spinal stenosis including decompression or fusion
- Successful spinal stenosis treatment such as injection within prior 3 months
- Imaging shows Lumbar Spinal Stenosis at 3 or 4 levels
- Prior lumbar fracture
- Scoliosis with Cobb angle over 20 degrees on weight bearing AP views
- Inflammatory arthropathy affecting lumbar spine such as rheumatoid arthritis
- Radiculopathy due to herniated disc
- Moderate to severe large fiber neuropathy suspected or confirmed
- No pain relief within 5 minutes of sitting down after back or leg pain from standing or walking
- Rapid symptom increase with lumbar flexion or leaning on grocery cart or walker
- Symptom reduction with lumbar extension
- Vascular claudication with ankle-brachial index less than 60 or over 140
- Prior bypass or stent surgery for peripheral artery disease
- Current infection or open ulcer in foot, ankle, leg, or thigh
- Current use of brace for foot, ankle, or knee problems
- Moderate to severe arthritis in hip, knee, ankle, or foot preventing pain-free walking more than 1 block
- Neurologic or neurodegenerative gait disorders such as stroke, Parkinson's, normal pressure hydrocephalus, cervical myelopathy
- Current legal issues, active substance use, suicidal or homicidal ideation, or other factors interfering with 6-week trial completion
- Planned surgery or procedure during the 6-week study period
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
Baltimore VA Medical Center VA Maryland Health Care System, Baltimore, MD
Baltimore, Maryland, United States, 21201
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
B
Beth B Hogans, MD
CONTACT
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
NONE
Allocation
NA
Model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary Purpose
OTHER
Number of Arms
1
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