Over 355,000 Monthly Readers
IN FOCUS FOR PEOPLE Over 50
  • Home
  • Health
  • Money
  • Travel
  • Arts
  • Tech
  • Cover Stories
  • Housing
  • From the Publisher
  • Silver Pages Directory
  1. Home
  2. Health

Health

SEARCH Health

Vets with low back pain wanted for study

  • Share
PRINT
By Margaret Foster
Posted on February 23, 2023

Most of us have had at least one bout of lower back pain in our lives. But about half of all veterans have chronic low back pain.

Now a study is under way to determine the best way to treat that pain without medication.

The nationwide study, known as Sequential and Comparative Evaluation of Pain Treatment Effectiveness Response (SCEPTER), will enroll more than 2,500 U.S. veterans. Veterans Affairs in Baltimore is one of 20 participating sites around the country.

“The study is basically looking at non-pharmacological therapies like physical therapy, chiropractic manipulation, cognitive behavioral therapy and yoga,” said Dr. Beth Hogans, local site investigator and associate director for education at the VA’s Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Centers.

“Each of those treatments have been shown in trials to be effective for low back pain. Some of them work a little better [than others]. They’ve never been compared head-to-head. That’s what this trial is about.”

The SCEPTER study is the first large-scale study of its kind, Hogans said. “It’s the type of trial that’s been done for medication, but it hasn’t been done on a large scale with nonpharmacological therapies.”

If you’re a U.S. veteran who has had low back pain for at least six months, and at least four times a week, you’re eligible for the study.

How the study works

Once enrolled, participants will be randomly put into one of three groups, or arms. One group will receive “care as usual.” Another group will take an online class on pain relief skills, a program that uses cognitive behavioral therapy. The third group will have 8 to 10 physical therapy sessions in person at Loch Raven VA Medical Center.

After three months, those still experiencing back pain will move on to the last phase of the study. Again, participants will be randomly placed into one of three groups.

The first group will work with a cognitive behavioral therapist via telehealth sessions. Another group will take virtual one-on-one yoga classes from their home. The third will have 8 to 10 in-person sessions with a chiropractor.

The physical therapist, clinical psychologist, yoga instructor and chiropractor are well known in their fields, Hogans noted.

“Here in Baltimore we’ve assembled a team of handpicked superstar treatment providers,” she said. “These are great providers; they’ve been recognized for their abilities.”

The study lasts six months, and while some participants can do most, if not all, of it from their homes, others may have to travel to their in-person appointments.

“It’s a pretty big commitment,” Hogans admitted. But participants can not only potentially get some pain relief from these therapies, they can help others who suffer from chronic low back pain.

“This information is so vital for the millions of people living with low back pain,” Hogans said. “It really does help us make those strides forward.”

For more information or to volunteer to enroll in the SCEPTER study, contact Chad Wessinger by emailing chadsley.wessinger@va.gov or call (443) 509-9436.

Health 2023

  • January
  • February
  • March

#Recipes #Health Study #Savvy Senior #Coronavirus

2022
Health Archive

2023Mont. Co.

SENIORS' RESOURCE GUIDE

Click here to see the 2023 Seniors' Resource Guide.

Silver PagesDirectory

FIND WHAT YOU NEED, FAST.

This comprehensive, searchable directory covers
housing, homecare, elder law and financial planning

CommunityEvents

A CALENDAR JUST FOR YOU

Find fun, interesting, informative things to do Or post your upcoming event on our website!

Silver PagesDirectory

FIND WHAT YOU NEED, FAST.

This comprehensive, searchable directory covers housing, homecare, elder law and financial planning

Submit PrintClassifieds

ALL PRINT CLASSIFIEDS ARE SUBMITTED ONLINE

Click here to submit your classifieds for one of our upcoming print editions.

CommunityEvents

A CALENDAR JUST FOR YOU

Find fun, interesting, informative things to do Or post your upcoming event on our website!

About the Beacon

Over 50 or love someone who is? Then consider the Beacon your resource for trustworthy information on health, money, technology and travel topics, as well as entertaining features, arts and events.

The Beacon’s award-winning content covers health, financial, technology, housing, travel and arts topics, as well as local events and feature stories. Readers of our three print editions pick up more than 179,000 copies each month at more than 2,000 distribution sites. We also mail copies to subscribers throughout the United States.

Contact Us

THE BEACON NEWSPAPERS

PO Box 2227  •  Silver Spring, MD 20915

WASHINGTON, DC

TEL: 301-949-9766  •  FAX: 301-949-8966

HOWARD COUNTY & BALTIMORE, MD

TEL: 410-248-9101  •  FAX: 301-949-8966

More on our Website

  • About
  • Resource Guide
  • Celebration of the Arts
  • Awards
  • Staff
  • Privacy Policy
  • The 50+Expos
  • Richmond Fifty Plus
  • Recipes
  • Puzzles
  • Community Events
Contact us Classified Form Subscription Form