RecruitingNot Applicable

Trial to Test the Efficacy of Using Magnetic Fields to Stimulate the Back to Treat Chronic Lower Back Pain.

United States88 participantsStarted 2026-07

Plain-language summary

The goal of this study is to see if a new way to treat back pain without the use of medications is effective. We plan use Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS), a wand-like device, to excite the nerves of people with lower back pain to see if we can decrease pain and improve quality of life. This study will have two groups and randomly assign participants to a group. One group will have their back nerves stimulated with the TMS device and the other group will not. Participants will also need to do back exercises at home once a day, and complete questionnaires at each visit before and after each treatment. The total time commitment will be 5 to10 visits with one visit occurring each weekday and each visit lasting up to 30 minutes.

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years – 64 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: * Diagnosed with chronic low back pain (greater than or equal to 12 weeks) with or without concurrent neck pain. * Low back pain in the paraspinal region (L1-S2) by asking the patient to point to their area of pain. * 18 - 64 years old (on the day of informed consent) * Willing and able to attend all study visits. * No medication changes for at least 30 days before study enrollment (self-report) * Eligible for care at participating military treatment facilities * Able to read and understand English. * Negative pregnancy test for women capable of pregnancy. Exclusion Criteria: * Diagnosed with low back pain of less than 12 weeks duration * History of back fractures or surgical repair of the back * History of depression with vagus nerve stimulation * Any type of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), or rPMS treatment prior to study enrollment. * Currently using any other adjunctive treatments for chronic back pain such as low-level laser treatment, ultrasound, dry needling, chiropractor manipulations, cervical collars, TENS units, or other stimulation, eastern medicine regimens including Qi Gong or Tai Chi. (Exception: strength building physical therapy, non-neuropathic pain modifiers, and non-anticonvulsant routine pain medicine regimens such as NSAIDS and Acetaminophen are allowed).Scheduled for nerve ablation, dry needling, trigger point injections, nerve block, therapeutic ultrasound, other stimulation, or similar adjunct treatments during the stud…

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.

1This trial is listed as 'Phase NA,' which I understand often means it's testing a device or procedure rather than a drug — can you help me understand what that means for how much is already known about the safety and effectiveness of using magnetic field stimulation for chronic lower back pain?
2The trial is measuring pain relief using a Visual Analog Scale, which is basically asking patients to rate their pain on a scale — can you walk me through what kind of improvement would actually be meaningful in my daily life, and whether that's what this study is designed to detect?
3Since this trial is actively recruiting right now, would I be a realistic candidate based on my specific history with lower back pain, and are there any conditions I have that might disqualify me or make participating riskier?
4Before I consider this trial, should I first try or exhaust standard treatments for chronic lower back pain — like physical therapy, medications, or injections — or does it make sense to look at this at the same time?
5What would my commitment actually look like if I joined this trial — how many visits, how long would the magnetic stimulation sessions take, and is this something that could realistically fit into my work and home life?

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

Visual Analog Scale

Timeframe: VAS numbers are obtained at: Baseline, pre-intervention. Immediately before each intervention Immediately after each intervention

Trial details

NCT IDNCT07652944

SponsorJoe X. Zhang

Sponsor typeFED

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2026-11

Contact for this trial

Joe Zhang, MD

415-619-9997 joe.x.zhang.mil@health.mil

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Lower Back Pain Chronic trials