CompletedNot Applicable

Validation of the STarT Back Screening Tool in the Military

United States290 participantsStarted 2017-04-07

Plain-language summary

This is a trial to validate the use of the STarT Back Screening Tool (SBST) in the Military Health System for patients with low back pain presenting to primary care.

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years – 50 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion criteria

. Males and females who are between the ages of 18-50 years old
. Primary complaint of LBP for any duration, with or without associated radiculopathy
. Can speak and understand English
. Be willing and able to give full, informed written consent

Exclusion criteria

. Red Flags: Any potentially serious or systemic disorders (e.g., cauda equina compression, inflammatory arthritis, compression fracture, malignancy, infection, severe neurological progression), serious illness or comorbidity
. Spinal surgery in the past 24 months
. Current pregnancy (or within the last 6 months)
. Already receiving treatment (other than primary care) for this episode of LBP
. Inability to attend regular treatment sessions
. Pending litigation or a medical evaluation board

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ)

Timeframe: 1 year

Trial details

NCT IDNCT03127826

SponsorBrooke Army Medical Center

Sponsor typeFED

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2021-02-26

Results submitted2026-04-22

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Low Back Pain trials