← Back to Search

Antidepressant

Physical Therapy + Antidepressant for Chronic Lower Back Pain with Depression (TNA-LBP Trial)

Phase 2 & 3
Recruiting
Led By Ajay Wasan, MD, MSc
Research Sponsored by Ajay Wasan, MD, Msc
Eligibility Criteria Checklist
Specific guidelines that determine who can or cannot participate in a clinical trial
Must have
Be older than 18 years old
Timeline
Screening 3 weeks
Treatment Varies
Follow Up baseline vs. 4 months
Awards & highlights
No Placebo-Only Group

Summary

This trial will look at how different treatments - antidepressants, physical therapy, or a combination of both - affect pain, ability to function, and depression symptoms in people with chronic low back pain.

Who is the study for?
This trial is for adults aged 18-75 with chronic lower back pain lasting over 6 months, scoring above a 3/10 on the pain scale. Participants must be able to use mobile devices and have no major thought disorders or recent substance abuse (except certain cases). They should not be pregnant, involved in litigation claims, planning new psychiatric treatments, or have had recent back surgery.
What is being tested?
The study tests how an antidepressant alone, physical therapy alone, or their combination can help manage pain and improve function and mood in those with chronic low back pain. It aims to see which method is most effective for patients who also experience negative emotions like depression.
What are the potential side effects?
Potential side effects may include typical reactions to antidepressants such as nausea, dizziness, sleep disturbances or increased anxiety initially. Physical therapy might cause temporary soreness or discomfort.

Timeline

Screening ~ 3 weeks
Treatment ~ Varies
Follow Up ~baseline vs. 4 months
This trial's timeline: 3 weeks for screening, Varies for treatment, and baseline vs. 4 months for reporting.

Treatment Details

Study Objectives

Study objectives can provide a clearer picture of what you can expect from a treatment.
Primary study objectives
Change from Baseline Depression at 4 months using PROMIS
Change from Baseline Pain Intensity at 4 months using PROMIS
Change from Baseline Physical Function at 4 months using PROMIS
Secondary study objectives
Change from Baseline Anxiety at 4 months using PROMIS
Change from Baseline Opioid Cravings at 4 months using the Craving Index
Change from Baseline Opioid Misuse at 4 months using Current Opioid Misuse Measure
+3 more

Side effects data

From 2015 Phase 2 & 3 trial • 150 Patients • NCT00767624
1%
Hematoma R side abdomen
1%
Severe vaginal bleeding and pain
1%
Chest pain in a patient with CAD
1%
Asthma
100%
80%
60%
40%
20%
0%
Study treatment Arm
Antidepressant + Desensitization
Antidepressant + Cognitive Behavioral

Awards & Highlights

No Placebo-Only Group
All patients enrolled in this study will receive some form of active treatment.

Trial Design

5Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Group I: Enhanced Fear Avoidance Rehabilitation (EFAR)Experimental Treatment1 Intervention
Subjects will be randomly assigned to receive 8 1-hour physical therapy sessions, pain education, and motivational messaging via Vivify app for 4 months, in addition to their current opioid prescription and weaning guidelines, if applicable. Trained physical/occupational therapists will determine the activities as part of the treatment. Non-responders determined at the end of 4 months will be re-randomized to continue receiving EFAR or AD for another 4 months.
Group II: EFAR -> ADExperimental Treatment2 Interventions
Subjects will be randomly assigned to receive 8 1-hour physical therapy sessions, pain education, and motivational messaging via Vivify app for 4 months, in addition to their current opioid prescription and weaning guidelines, if applicable. Trained physical/occupational therapists will determine the activities as part of the treatment. Non-responders determined at the end of 4 months will be re-randomized to continue receiving EFAR or AD for another 4 months. Those re-randomized to receive AD for another 4 months will be under the care of a nurse practitioner and psychiatrist, in addition to their current opioid prescription and weaning guidelines, if applicable. Dosage change and side effects are mitigated by check-in visits (virtually or in-person) every 4 weeks.
Group III: Antidepressant (AD) + Enhanced Fear Avoidance Rehabilitation (EFAR)Experimental Treatment2 Interventions
Subjects will receive a combination of antidepressant medication and physical therapy for 8 months, in addition to their current opioid prescription and weaning guidelines, if applicable. No re-randomization will be done in this treatment group.
Group IV: Antidepressant (AD)Experimental Treatment1 Intervention
Subjects will be randomly assigned to receive the antidepressant medication for 4 months under the care of a nurse practitioner and psychiatrist, in addition to their current opioid prescription and weaning guidelines, if applicable. Dosage change and side effects are mitigated by check-in visits (virtually or in-person) every 4 weeks. Non-responders determined at the end of 4 months will be re-randomized to continue receiving AD or EFAR for another 4 months.
Group V: AD -> EFARExperimental Treatment2 Interventions
Subjects will be randomly assigned to receive the antidepressant medication for 4 months under the care of a nurse practitioner and psychiatrist, in addition to their current opioid prescription and weaning guidelines, if applicable. Dosage change and side effects are mitigated by check-in visits (virtually or in-person) every 4 weeks. Non-responders determined at the end of 4 months will be re-randomized to continue receiving AD or EFAR for another 4 months. Those re-randomized to receive EFAR for another 4 months will receive a combination of antidepressant medication and physical therapy, in addition to their current opioid prescription and weaning guidelines, if applicable.
Treatment
First Studied
Drug Approval Stage
How many patients have taken this drug
Antidepressant
2017
Completed Phase 3
~158930

Find a Location

Who is running the clinical trial?

Mayo ClinicOTHER
3,362 Previous Clinical Trials
3,065,631 Total Patients Enrolled
National Institutes of Health (NIH)NIH
2,840 Previous Clinical Trials
8,172,290 Total Patients Enrolled
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS)NIH
502 Previous Clinical Trials
1,089,688 Total Patients Enrolled
Brigham and Women's HospitalOTHER
1,670 Previous Clinical Trials
11,877,936 Total Patients Enrolled
Ajay Wasan, MD, MscLead Sponsor
2 Previous Clinical Trials
37 Total Patients Enrolled
Ajay Wasan, MD, MScPrincipal Investigator - University of Pittsburgh
UPMC Mercy
University Of Illinois College Of Medicine (Medical School)
Brigham & Women'S Hospital (Residency)
1 Previous Clinical Trials
26 Total Patients Enrolled

Media Library

Antidepressant (Antidepressant) Clinical Trial Eligibility Overview. Trial Name: NCT04747314 — Phase 2 & 3
Chronic Lower Back Pain Research Study Groups: AD -> EFAR, EFAR -> AD, Antidepressant (AD), Antidepressant (AD) + Enhanced Fear Avoidance Rehabilitation (EFAR), Enhanced Fear Avoidance Rehabilitation (EFAR)
Chronic Lower Back Pain Clinical Trial 2023: Antidepressant Highlights & Side Effects. Trial Name: NCT04747314 — Phase 2 & 3
Antidepressant (Antidepressant) 2023 Treatment Timeline for Medical Study. Trial Name: NCT04747314 — Phase 2 & 3
Chronic Lower Back Pain Patient Testimony for trial: Trial Name: NCT04747314 — Phase 2 & 3
~69 spots leftby Dec 2025