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Spry Belt

Spry Belt Phase II Study

Thank you for your interest. Women age 50 or older may be eligible to participate.

The University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) College of Allied Health Professions is partnering with Bone Health Technologies to conduct a bone health research study. The purpose of the Spry Belt Phase II Research Study is to evaluate a device that is worn like a belt and delivers gentle energy to the hips and lower spine. The goal is to determine if the investigational device stimulates bone cells to prevent bone loss in postmenopausal women. Participants will wear the Spry Belt at least 5 times per week for 30 minutes per day over this 3-month study.

Screen Yourself Now! 

See if you meet the pre-qualification criteria to come in for a screening to see if you are eligible for the study. Call 402-559-6584 to speak with a member of the research team.

Learn more about the screening process or review Frequently Asked Questions below.

IRB# 0252-22-CB

Screening Steps

Step 1
Answer the pre-screening questions online or call 402-559-6584 to speak with a member of the research team to determine if you might be eligible to participate. A research staff member will review the steps of the screening process and provide information about the study in detail. A screening visit will be scheduled if you would like to participate.

PLEASE NOTE: Steps 2 – 5 are completed at a single appointment that will require an approximately 90-minute commitment.
Step 2
A research staff member will review the steps of the screening process in detail and study information. If you choose to be screened, you will be asked to sign the consent form.
Step 3
You will complete questionnaires about your health.
Step 4

You will complete a Dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA). DXA is a special x-ray that is used to measure bone status. The scan is provided at no cost for women who participate in the screening process. You will receive the results of the DXA scan.

If you have normal bone mass or osteoporosis, you do not qualify for the Spry Belt Phase II study, and this will be the last step of the screening process.

Step 5
If you have low bone mass, we will draw your blood to measure vitamin D, calcium, thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), and parathyroid hormone (PTH).
Step 6
A member of the research team will contact you to share blood test results. If labs are normal and you choose to enroll in the study, an enrollment visit will be scheduled.

Frequently Asked Questions

If you have other questions, please call 402-559-6584 or Email beltstudy@unmc.edu.

How long will the screening process take and where will I be screened?
The screening process will take 60-90 minutes. Your appointment will take place at NE Medicine Radiology at Village Pointe (111 N 175th St, Omaha).
I would like more information, but am not sure whether I am interested in participating in the screening process. What should I do?
If you would like more information about this research study, we encourage you to complete the “pre-screening” questionnaire (coming soon) or call us at 402-559-6584 so that we can first determine if you are eligible. If you qualify to be screened for the study and are interested in participating it the Spry Belt Phase II study, we will provide more information about the screening process and our main study over the phone. You can use this information to make a decision about whether you are interested in participating. Whatever decision you make will be respected, and you will not be contacted further about this study if you decide not to participate.
Will I be asked to pay for testing?
No. You will not be charged for the DXA scan you receive at your screening appointment. All study interventions and testing are paid for by a grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), thus you will not be asked to pay for anything. Additionally, you do not need medical insurance to participate.
How do I qualify for the Spry Belt Phase II Research Study?
You will be eligible for screening if you meet the pre-screening eligibility criteria. You can determine if you meet these criteria by pre-screening online (coming soon) or calling us at 402-559-6584. If you are eligible to be screened, you will receive a DXA scan (at no cost) which measures the amount of bone you have. If your scores show that you have low bone mass or “osteopenia,” we will draw blood to test body processes related to bone health. If these lab tests are normal, you qualify to participate in the research study testing the Spry Belt.
How is the Spry Belt worn?

The Spry Belt is worn low around the hips during each 30-minute treatment. It is secured first by attaching a Velcro closure (Figure A). The belt is pulled snuggly against your body by closing a metal clasp, then tightening the attached nylon belt (Figures B and C). When fitted correctly, the device fits snuggly across the hips.

Sprybelt instructions

Person wearing a Spry Belt