MedPath

Upright Back Posture Device Study

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Postural Low Back Pain
Lower Back Pain
Back Pain
Interventions
Other: Ergonomic Handout
Device: Upright Go Device
Registration Number
NCT03769246
Lead Sponsor
Columbia University
Brief Summary

This is a randomized controlled study to determine if patients between the ages of 18-50 years, with posture related low back pain, who use the Upright device demonstrate improved pain control and self perception of posture compared to those given standard ergonomic instruction.

Detailed Description

Back pain is a common complaint among students. For many, back pain is directly related to poor posture while sitting and standing. Those who spend prolonged time sitting in poor posture often develop muscular imbalances leading to tight chest muscles and weakness in back muscles. The Upright system is a device which helps provide a sensory reminder to alert users when their posture is poor. The purpose of this study is to determine if patients who use the upright posture device demonstrate improved pain control and self perception of posture when compared to those given standard ergonomic instruction.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
30
Inclusion Criteria
  • Postural-related back pain
Read More
Exclusion Criteria
  • A diagnosis of significant scoliosis, herniated/bulging disc, lumbar spondylolysis, radiculitis, facet arthrosis, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, seronegative spondyloarthropathy.
  • Neurologic deficits on exam
  • Currently in physical therapy (PT)
Read More

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Control GroupErgonomic HandoutThe control group will receive a 15-20 minute instruction on proper posture by the physician and will receive an ergonomic handout.
Upright Go Device GroupUpright Go DevicePatients receiving the Upright device will have a brief training on the use of the device and proper posture. They will be asked to download the Upright app on their phone from the Playstore. Patients will wear the device once daily for training. They will attach the device applying an adhesive on their upper back, as instructed, and the device will be attached to the adhesive by velcro. Once completed they should remove adhesive.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Score on Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS)4 weeks

The NPRS is a segmented numeric version of the visual analog scale (VAS) in which a respondent selects a whole number (0-10 integers) that best reflects the intensity of his/her pain. The common format is a horizontal bar or line. The 11-point numeric scale ranges from '0' representing one pain extreme (e.g. "no pain") to '10' representing the other pain extreme (e.g. "pain as bad as you can imagine" or "worst pain imaginable"). Averages were taken of each group, pre and post intervention. A higher score represents a worse outcome, and a lower score represents a better outcome.

Score on the PROMIS Pain Interference Short Form 6b4 weeks

The Patient-Reported Outcome Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Pain Interference Short Form utilizes a 7-day recall period (items include the phrase "In the past 7 days..."). Individuals are to score pain interference for each of the 6 questions from a scale of 1 to 5.

1. = Not at all

2. = A little bit

3. = Somewhat

4. = Quite a bit

5. = Very Much

Scores are collected and analyzed as individual questions, and not as an aggregate total. Averages were taken of each question, for each group, pre and post intervention. A higher score represents a worse outcome and a lower score represents a better outcome.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Columbia University Irving Medical Center

🇺🇸

New York, New York, United States

© Copyright 2025. All Rights Reserved by MedPath