Chronic Low Back Pain is Reduced, Analgesic Use is Reduced, and Activities of Daily Living Improved Following Treatment with the DRX9000(TM).

TAMPA, Fla. -- Chronic low back pain is a prevalent and expensive condition in industrialized countries. However, a study partially funded by Axiom Worldwide and published on-line by Pain Practice indicates that chronic low back pain may improve with treatment on the DRX9000. The study titled, "Treatment of 94 Outpatients With Chronic Discogenic Low Back Pain with the DRX9000: A Retrospective Chart Review," reports that patients with a mean pain duration of 535 weeks reported a mean verbal numerical pain intensity rating equal to 6.05 on a 0 to 10 scale prior to treatment with the DRX9000. This decreased to a statistically and clinically significant mean rating of 0.89 after the last treatment on the DRX9000. Patients also reported a decrease in analgesic use and improvement in activities of daily living. In addition, the authors were able to follow-up at a mean 31 weeks with 29 patients and reveal mean values of 83% improvement in back pain and satisfaction of 8.55 on a 10-point scale. None of these patients reported requiring surgery. The authors also acknowledge that there are other spinal decompression systems available commercially. However, they suggest that the design difference between these devices, "...may lead to differing physical responses to therapy, so studies of one type of apparatus should not readily be applied across all machines." The study will be released in print in the March 2008 issue of Pain Practice. An on-line copy may be viewed now at: www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1533-2500.2007.00167.x.

This study was granted exempt status by a central institutional review board (IRB) prior to study initiation. A partial waiver of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) was received following approval of the telephone screening instrument. Non-treatment or control groups were not included making efficacy outcome versus placebo or spontaneous recovery difficult to determine. Randomized double-blinded or comparative long-term outcome trials are needed to further prove the efficacy of non-surgical spinal decompression systems such as the DRX9000[TM] for the routine treatment of chronic LBP.

Axiom Worldwide manufactures and distributes its flagship products, the DRX9000 True Non-surgical Spinal Decompression System[TM], DRX9000C[TM], and DRX9500[TM] in medical markets around the globe. Axiom also manufactures a digital electrical stimulation device, the EPS8000[TM], for use in relieving pain and for use in muscular rehabilitation. Axiom prides itself on providing safe, non-surgical alternatives that patients should consider prior to undergoing surgery. For additional information or to receive a copy of the special report featured in Anesthesiology News please visit: www.AxiomWorldwide.com. To schedule an interview please contact: Gary Dixon, VP Sales and Marketing at: telephone: [phone] or email: [e-mail].