Differences in Mechanistic Measures (Oxytocin and Cortisol) of Therapeutic Alliance Between A Talk-Based Therapy and Soft-Tissue Mobilization in Individuals With Chronic Spinal Pain

Recruitment at Duke University: Recruitment will follow a well-versed, successful process at Duke University. MaestroCare will be used to identify, recruit, and conduct this research study. Participants will be invited to participate in this study via a MyChart patient portal invitation sent by a clinical research coordinator (CRC). The CRC will screen participants for eligibility via telephone encounter. Prior to obtaining consent, participants will be screened for medical conditions that may influence hormone levels during the study (e.g., Cushing's Syndrome, Addison's Disease, etc.), use of medications (e.g., steroids, antidepressants, or hormonal treatments) that could influence the results, and exclude participants if necessary, and previously diagnosed conditions or factors known to affect cortisol or oxytocin levels, such as chronic stress disorders, hormonal imbalances, or pregnancy. After obtaining consent and prior to treatment, the study will screen for potential STM contraindications or other clinical safety considerations (i.e., infection, skin lesions, etc) using a limited systems-screening to rule out pertinent clinical contraindications to STM (e.g., radiculopathy, fracture, etc.).

Participants: Individuals with CSP (3 months or greater), who are 18 years of age and older and who experience persistent pain of ≥3 on a 10-point scale for the majority of days during the previous 3-months will be eligible for the study. The study operationally defines chronic pain using the International Association of the Study of Pain (IASP) pragmatic criteria of pain lasting for 3 months or more that cannot be attributed to another diagnosis or condition.

Variables: In addition to pertinent demographics and patient characteristics, the study will capture baseline PROMIS pain interference, pain intensity, depression, and physical function values. Onsite, to improve the likelihood that hormone related changes are not influenced by external factors, the study will capture a Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), which measures subjective stress levels, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), which assesses temporary and long-term anxiety states, blood pressure and pulse prior to each visit. For the PSS, a score of 27 or above is typically considered high. For the STAI, a score above 60 is often considered high, signaling significant anxiety. If individuals score high in either measure, the participants will be rescheduled. Those with Blood pressure: ≥140/90 mmHg and a heart rate >100bpm will be asked to reschedule.

The study's primary variables of interest in the study involve cortisol and oxytocin levels. The study will capture 525 μL salivary concentrations of oxytocin and cortisol through a SalivaBio Oral Swab (SOS) Method. Testing will be completed with Salimetrics Assay Kits. The study will also capture the self-report WAI short-form and the PROMIS pain interference, pain intensity, and physical function measures at baseline and after completion of both visits.

Interventions: After describing the study design and purpose, participants will be randomized into a single treatment of STM-first or a single treatment of ER-first. All treatments will be provided by Dr. Cook, a licensed physical therapist with 35 years of clinical experience and fellowship-level training in STM (e.g., manual therapies) and a 2.5-year post-professional, certification-level training in chronic pain management/psychologically informed practice. A designated clinical research coordinator (CRC) and Dr. Cook will be responsible for screening of each applicant to ensure the participants are appropriate and safe for study inclusion.