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Chronic PainNCT03297905

Functional Restoration and Integrative Therapies in Service Members With Neuromusculoskeletal Injury

A study testing Complementary and Integrative Therapies and Standard Rehabilitative Care in people with Chronic Pain, run by University of Washington at 1 site in United States.

Unknown status

Status not confirmed. The sponsor has not verified this record for over two years, so it may be out of date.

Official record
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Trial summary

This study will (1) compare the effectiveness of standard rehabilitative pain care with complementary and integrative pain therapies; (2) identify subgroups of patients who do and do not respond to the intervention(s); (3) determine the most effective sequencing of the interventions; and (4) determine factors… Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 to 70 years
Conditions the study is for
Chronic Pain
What is being tested?
Complementary and Integrative Therapies and Standard Rehabilitative Care
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
280 participants
Where
1 siteUnited States
Study dates
15 Jun 2018to 31 Dec 2023
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
None posted in the registry

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 18 to 70 years
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • Active duty service members
  • Neuromusculoskeletal or neuropathic pain ≥ 3-months duration
  • Pain of sufficient severity to bring about dysfunction in daily social, vocational, and/or interpersonal activities

Who cannot join

  • Major surgeries within past 6 months or planned within next 6 months
  • Unstable psychological disorders
  • Active substance use disorder

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

United States1 site
  • Madigan Army Medical Center

    Tacoma, Washington, 98431

Other trials in United States

About this study

Official title: Determinants of the Optimal Dose and Sequence of Functional Restoration and Integrative Therapies in Service Members With Neuromusculoskeletal Injury

This study will (1) compare the effectiveness of standard rehabilitative pain care with complementary and integrative pain therapies; (2) identify subgroups of patients who do and do not respond to the intervention(s); (3) determine the most effective sequencing of the interventions; and (4) determine factors associated with treatment response that can be implemented to support clinical decision-making.

Read the detailed description

Objectives and Rationale. Pain due to neuromusculoskeletal injuries is a leading cause of disability among active duty military Service members. The injury rate is significant with 628 neuromusculoskeletal injuries per 1000 person-years among active duty military Service members. Neuromusculoskeletal injuries include amputations following battlefield trauma, repetitive motion injuries related to equipment use or weight-bearing postures, and even injuries or strains incurred during off-duty pursuits. Regardless of cause, the effects on both individual Service members and military readiness are significant: Only 13% of Service members being treated primarily for pain ever return to the field.

The Department of Defense (DoD) has recently expanded its capacity to provide both functional restoration (FR) and complementary and integrative medicine (CIM) therapies for neuromusculoskeletal injury, pain, and disability. The proposed research aims to determine the most effective treatment combination, sequence, and duration of standard rehabilitative care (SRC), such as physical and occupational therapy in combination with cognitive behavioral therapy and CIM therapies, such as acupuncture and chiropractic, for Service members preparing to enroll in an intensive FR program that is currently the DoD-recommended treatment. In addition, this study aims to identify ways to predict in advance which patients will respond best to which therapeutic regimens.

Potential Impact. This research has the potential to determine which patients are most likely to benefit from the non-medication pain therapies currently available in all Army Interdisciplinary Pain Management Centers (IPMC) and how these therapies can most effectively be combined to achieve the greatest improvements in pain impact, quality of life and ability to return to duty following injury.

Patients Who Will Benefit. This study will involve active duty Service members referred to an Army IPMC. The results will be shared with other Military Health System (MHS) and Veterans Health Administration (VHA) pain management centers so that active duty Service members and veterans across United States may benefit from a treatment approach that is tailored to their individual characteristics. It is anticipated that the knowledge gained through this research will be applicable to family members of Service members and veterans and will ultimately lead to expansion of TRICARE benefits to include CIM therapies.

Potential Clinical Applications, Benefits, and Risks. This research will assist providers in determining when to refer their patients with neuromusculoskeletal pain for SRC and/or CIM therapies prior to FR. It will assist IPMCs in developing treatment plans tailored to the needs of each patient. Service members and veterans will benefit by being referred for these approaches when appropriate during the course of disabling chronic pain conditions. Ultimately, it is hoped that decision tools can be imbedded in the electronic medical record to guide health care providers to consider referral for these therapies in patients who may benefit. This study will advance our ability to effectively tailor therapies for rehabilitation from neuromusculoskeletal pain for different patients to yield the greatest benefit in physical function and quality of life. The risks of these interventions are minimal; Service members may experience general muscle soreness for the first week or so of increased physical activity, but this typically resolves.

Projected Timeline. This research will determine the optimal combination, sequence, and duration of therapies. It is expected that some active duty Service members could see improvements in function and quality of life within three weeks, but others may require up to six weeks to experience meaningful improvement.

Benefit to Military Personnel. This research will benefit Service members experiencing pain due to neuromusculoskeletal injury. It will identify ways to direct them to the therapies most likely to yield meaningful improvements in function and quality of life, and thus facilitate their return to duty. The recommendations from this study will be shared with pain management centers throughout the DoD, VHA; and, we hope, eventually to TRICARE members.

Conditions
Chronic Pain
Being tested
Complementary and Integrative Therapies, Standard Rehabilitative Care
Keywords
Chronic Pain, Military
Medical subject headings
Chronic Pain

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Complementary and Integrative TherapiesBehavioural

    Intervention time period is 3 - 6 weeks.

  • Standard Rehabilitative CareBehavioural

    Intervention time period is 3 - 6 weeks.

Study groups in NCT03297905
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Complementary and Integrative TherapiesExperimentalChiropractic, Acupuncture, Yoga, Biofeedback (if indicated), and Foam roller instruction
Receives: Behavioral: Complementary and Integrative Therapies
Standard Rehabilitative CareActive comparatorCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) 60-minute orientation, CBT psychoeducation group, and Physical therapy/occupational therapy
Receives: Behavioral: Standard Rehabilitative Care

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Change from Baseline Pain Intensity

    Pain Intensity 10-pt Numeric Rating Scale

    Measured: 3 months

  2. Change from Baseline Pain Impact

    Aggregate score calculated from Defense and Veterans Pain Rating Scale (DVPRS)

    Measured: 3 months

Secondary outcomes (18)
  1. Depression

    Patient Reported Outcome Measurement Information System

    Measured: baseline, 3 weeks, 6 weeks, 9 weeks, 3 months, 6 months

  2. Anxiety

    Patient Reported Outcome Measurement Information System

    Measured: baseline, 3 weeks, 6 weeks, 9 weeks, 3 months, 6 months

  3. Emotional Distress - Anger

    Patient Reported Outcome Measurement Information System

    Measured: baseline, 3 weeks, 6 weeks, 9 weeks, 3 months, 6 months

  4. Sleep Disturbance

    Patient Reported Outcome Measurement Information System

    Measured: baseline, 3 weeks, 6 weeks, 9 weeks, 3 months, 6 months

  5. Fatigue

    Patient Reported Outcome Measurement Information System

    Measured: baseline, 3 weeks, 6 weeks, 9 weeks, 3 months, 6 months

  6. PTSD

    Primary Care PTSD Screen

    Measured: baseline, 3 weeks, 6 weeks, 9 weeks, 3 months, 6 months

  7. Patient Activation Measure

    A 22-item survey that addresses four stages of patient activation: (1) believing the patient role is important, (2) having the confidence and knowledge necessary to take action, (3) actually taking action to maintain and improve one's health, and (4) staying the course even under stress. Patients are asked to agree or not to agree with each of the 22 items.

    Measured: baseline, 3 weeks, 6 weeks, 9 weeks, 3 months, 6 months

  8. Drug Use

    Drug Use Questionnaire

    Measured: baseline, 3 weeks, 6 weeks, 9 weeks, 3 months, 6 months

  9. Pain Catastrophizing

    Pain Catastrophizing Scale

    Measured: baseline, 3 weeks, 6 weeks, 9 weeks, 3 months, 6 months

  10. Kinesiophobia

    Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia

    Measured: baseline, 3 weeks, 6 weeks, 9 weeks, 3 months, 6 months

  11. Pain Self-Efficacy

    Pain Self Efficacy Questionnaire

    Measured: baseline, 3 weeks, 6 weeks, 9 weeks, 3 months, 6 months

  12. Chronic Pain Acceptance

    Chronic Pain Acceptance Questionnaire

    Measured: baseline, 3 weeks, 6 weeks, 9 weeks, 3 months, 6 months

  13. Functional Capacity

    Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire and Canadian Occupational Performance Measure

    Measured: baseline, 3 weeks, 6 weeks, 9 weeks, 3 months, 6 months

  14. Opioid Utilization

    Opioid Utilization Screener

    Measured: baseline, 3 weeks, 6 weeks, 9 weeks, 3 months, 6 months

  15. Cortisol

    Salivary Cortisol

    Measured: baseline, 6 weeks

  16. Oxidative Stress

    Urine Sample

    Measured: baseline, 6 weeks

  17. Genomic DNA

    Buccal Sample

    Measured: baseline

  18. Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT)

    Passing scores of 60 on all 3 components (push-ups, sit-ups, 2-mile run) of the APFT will be operationalized as "force-readiness".

    Measured: baseline, 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted29 Sep 2017
  2. Study start15 Jun 2018
  3. Primary completion30 Jun 2023 (estimated)
  4. Study completion31 Dec 2023 (estimated)

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase N/A
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Sequential
Model description
Sequential Multiple Assignment Randomized Trial (SMART)
Masking
None (open label)
Enrolment
280 participants (estimated)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT03297905
Sponsor's protocol ID
STUDY00004220
Status last verified
Oct 2022
First submitted
8 Aug 2017
Last updated
12 Oct 2022
Results posted
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No

Publications

  • Snow TJ, Shimada S, Ieronimakis N, Tintle N, Flynn DM, Wi D, Ransom JC, McQuinn HM, Doorenbos AZ. Association of physical function and sleep with oxidative stress in adults with chronic pain: A pragmatic clinical trial secondary analysis. J Int Med Res. 2026 May;54(5):3000605261451958. doi: 10.1177/03000605261451958. Epub 2026 May 31.

    PubMed 42219238
  • Tintle NL, Ryder NA, Westra J, Wi D, Shimada S, Ieronimakis N, McQuinn HM, Snow TJ, Doorenbos AZ, Flynn DM. CYP gene variants show preliminary evidence of association with patient-reported outcomes in active-duty service members with chronic pain. Mol Pain. 2026 Jan-Dec;22:17448069261454823. doi: 10.1177/17448069261454823. Epub 2026 May 23.

    PubMed 42175782
  • Shimada S, Ledesma S, Flynn DM, Tintle N, Ransom JC, McQuinn HM, Snow TJ, Ieronimakis N, Wi D, Burke LA, Steffen AD, Doorenbos AZ. Evaluating Sex Differences in Biomarkers of Chronic Pain Among Active-Duty Personnel: An Exploratory Analysis of a Pragmatic Clinical Trial With a SMART Design. Biol Res Nurs. 2026 Jul;28(3):384-394. doi: 10.1177/10998004261423210. Epub 2026 Feb 3.

    PubMed 41631713
  • Wi D, Flynn DM, Park C, Ransom JC, McQuinn HM, Snow TJ, Burke LA, Steffen AD, Shimada S, Doorenbos AZ. Dynamic Interactions in Chronic Pain-Related Outcomes: A Secondary Data Analysis of a Pragmatic Clinical Trial With Sequential, Multiple Assignment, Randomized Trial Design. Mil Med. 2025 Nov 1;190(11-12):e2382-e2390. doi: 10.1093/milmed/usaf225.

    PubMed 40440185
  • Flynn DM, Ransom JC, Steffen AD, Orr KP, McQuinn HM, Snow TJ, Burke LA, Wi D, Doorenbos AZ. Complementary, integrative, and standard rehabilitative therapies in a military population with chronic predominantly musculoskeletal pain: a pragmatic clinical trial with SMART design. Pain. 2025 Jun 1;166(6):1343-1353. doi: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000003462. Epub 2024 Nov 8.

    PubMed 39560398
  • Wi D, Ransom JC, Flynn DM, Steffen AD, Park C, Burke LA, Doorenbos AZ. Role of Pain Catastrophizing in the Effects of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Chronic Pain in Different Subgroups: An Exploratory Secondary Data Analysis Using Finite Mixture Models. Mil Med. 2024 Nov 5;189(11-12):e2600-e2607. doi: 10.1093/milmed/usae288.

    PubMed 38829170

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Complementary and Integrative Therapies and Standard Rehabilitative Care in people with Chronic Pain, run by University of Washington at 1 site in United States.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 3 inclusion and 3 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: status not confirmed, as of the sponsor's last update on 12 Oct 2022. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

Results are not available in the source record.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Change from Baseline Pain Intensity (time frame: 3 months). The study lists 2 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT03297905, which also lists 6 linked publications.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 12 Oct 2022.

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