Do you have Chronic Low Back Pain? Are you interested in CBD? Advance Medical Knowledge of Brain Mechanisms of Pain By Joining This Study!

Research Center: Massachusetts General Hospital
Location: Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Lead Researchers: Jodi Gilman, Ph.D. and Marco Loggia, PhD
Ethics Committee: This study has been reviewed and approved by the Mass General Brigham Human Research Committee 

About the Study

Do you have long-term low back pain? In this digital age, back pain has become more common. Many factors can contribute to low back pain, to name a few: poor posture when sitting or standing, age, the lack of exercise, weight gain. 

Plant-based products have been reported to provide pain relief. These products have a naturally occurring compound found in plants and are considered safe and non-addictive. Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital are conducting a research study to observe the potential benefits of plant-based products on chronic low back pain. This study seeks to find out if these products have an effect on certain cells. These cells are called glial cells, and they are immune cells of the nervous system that may be linked to pain. Participants will have a 50:50 chance of receiving either a plant-based product or placebo, which they will be asked to take daily for 4 weeks. To see the effect the product has on glial cells, participants will undergo two Positron Emission Tomography / Magnetic Resonance Imaging (PET/MRI) scans. Through this research study, researchers may better understand the link between these immune cells and low back pain to potentially develop a plant-based intervention.

Want to contribute to this research study? See if you’re eligible!

Why Participate? 

  • Participants may be helping researchers understand the link between glial cells and chronic low back pain.
  • Participants will have a 50% chance of receiving a new potential treatment for chronic low back pain at no cost.
  • Although this is not a treatment research study, participants may experience potential improvements to their chronic low back pain. 
  • Participants will be helping to advance medical research on chronic low back pain.

Your Rights

  • If you decide to participate in the study and later feel that you no longer wish to be part of it, you can withdraw at any time.
  • Any information that you provide will be kept strictly confidential, except as required by law.
  • Qualified health professionals will monitor your health as it relates to the study.

Who Can Participate?

  • Men and women aged 18-75 years old who have sought medical care for chronic low back pain and can provide a copy of their medical record as proof
  • Must be diagnosed with chronic low back pain for 6 months or more
  • Must be experiencing low back pain for at least 4 days in a week
  • Must have no dosage change to back pain medications in the last 4 weeks, if taking back pain medications
  • Must not be taking immunosuppressive medications  (i.e., Prednisone, TNF medications)
  • Must not be diagnosed with neurological illnesses or major medical illnesses  
  • Must be able to attend 4 study visits at the research sites over approximately 8-10 weeks

Key Study Details 

The study team will explain the research study in its entirety but some details are:

  • Participants will be compensated for their time and effort.
  • There will be a screening visit that will take up to 3 hours, during which the participant will complete some tests and procedures to see if they will be eligible to further participate in this study.
  • Participants will need to do daily surveys. They will be asked to fill out a daily survey for about 2 weeks before they start taking the plant-based product or placebo, for 4 weeks while they are taking the plant-based product or placebo, and for 2 weeks after taking the plant-based product or placebo.
  • Participation in this study involves making 2 visits to MGH Charlestown Navy Yard campus where participants will undergo two PET/MRI scans, and 2 office visits to 101 Merrimac Street.

About the Research Center:

Massachusetts General Hospital
Massachusetts General Hospital, founded in 1811, is the original and largest teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School. The Mass General Research Institute conducts the largest hospital-based research program in the nation, with annual research operations of more than $1 billion and comprises more than 9,500 researchers working across more than 30 institutes, centers and departments. In August 2021, Mass General was named #5 in the U.S. News & World Report list of “America’s Best Hospitals.”

Please note:

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the researchers would like to assure the participants that ensuring their and the study staff’s safety is of utmost importance.

What’s Next?

  1. Click the link to enter your contact details and take the study questionnaire.
  2. If eligible, a member of the research team will contact you to discuss the study and answer any questions you may have.
Click Here to Check Your Eligibility for This Study

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