The Role of Core and Functional Exercises in Low Back and Neck Pain

NCT07190898 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: BAU-FTR-MYK-02
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 45
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 2

Brief Summary

Low back and neck pain are common health problems that can negatively affect daily life activities in healthy women. A significant proportion of adults worldwide experience low back or neck pain at some point in their lives, leading to loss of physical function, reduced work capacity, and decreased quality of life. Women who work at desk-based jobs are particularly prone to such pain due to prolonged sitting, computer use, and non-ergonomic postures. Poor posture habits, weak core muscles, and low postural awareness are among the main causes of low back and neck pain. Strengthening the core muscles, enhancing spinal and pelvic stability, improving muscular endurance, and increasing postural awareness are effective methods to reduce the risk of low back and neck pain. Functional strength exercises support safe and effective movement in daily life activities by improving muscle strength, endurance, and coordination. These exercises are important not only for treating existing pain but also as part of preventive health strategies. Preventive exercise programs can reduce the risk of pain and functional loss in healthy individuals, thereby improving long-term quality of life. Although various exercise approaches have been examined in the literature for the prevention of low back and neck pain, studies comparing core and postural stabilization exercises with functional strength exercises in healthy women are limited. This gap does not provide physiotherapists and health professionals with clear evidence on which exercise approach is more effective. This study aims to compare the effects of core and postural stabilization exercises versus functional strength exercises on the risk of low back and neck pain during daily activities in healthy women. The findings of this study are expected to guide the design and implementation of preventive exercise programs for healthy women.

Conditions

Low Back Pain; Neck Pain; Core Exercises Training; Functional Exercise Training

Keywords

low back pain; neck pain; core exercises training; functional exercise training; healthy women; daily activity

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (4)

• Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ)

  An internationally recognized questionnaire used to assess musculoskeletal symptoms. It specifically asks about pain, discomfort, and limited movement in areas such as the back, neck, and shoulders. The questionnaire divides the body into nine anatomical regions and asks whether pain, discomfort, or limited movement has been experienced in the last 12 months and the last 7 days. A higher score indicates greater prevalence and frequency of pain.

  6 week

• Visual Analog Scale (VAS)

  This is a simple and reliable self-report scale used to measure pain intensity. The participant is usually shown a 10 cm long line; one end of the line represents "no pain" (0), and the other end represents "unbearable pain" (10). The participant marks a point on the line according to the intensity of pain they are currently experiencing. Pain intensity is numerically determined by measuring the position of the mark on the line.

  6 week

• Oswestry Disability Index (ODI)

  This 10-section scale covers topics such as pain intensity, personal care, lifting, walking, sitting, standing, sleeping, social life, travel, and sexual life. Each section is scored from 0 to 5. A higher total score indicates a greater degree of functional disability due to low back pain. Results from the scale are expressed as percentages, with 0-20% representing minimal disability, 21-40% representing moderate disability, 41-60% representing severe disability, 61-80% representing severe disability, and 81-100% representing complete dependency.

  6 week

• Neck Disability Index (NDI)

  This is a valid and reliable scale widely used in clinical and research settings that measures the impact of neck pain on individuals' activities of daily living. This 10-section scale covers topics such as pain intensity, personal care, lifting, reading, headache, concentration, working, driving, sleep, and recreational activities. Each section is scored from 0 to 5. As the total score increases, the functional disability associated with neck pain increases. The resulting score is expressed as a percentage, with 0-20% representing minimal disability, 21-40% representing moderate disability, 41-60% representing severe disability, 61-80% representing severe disability, and 81-100% representing complete dependency.

  6 week

Secondary Outcomes (3)

• Functional Movement Screen (FMS)

  6 week

• Plank and Side Plank Tests

  6 week

• Sit-to-Stand Test

  6 week

Study Arms (3)

core exercises group

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

The participants performed a total of 18 exercise sessions, three times per week over six weeks. All sessions were supervised by a specialist physiotherapist and lasted approximately 45 minutes. Each session consisted of three parts: warm-up, main exercises, and cool-down. The warm-up included low-intensity mobilization and stretching movements. The main part involved plank, side plank, bridge, quadruped balance, and posture-focused exercises. Each exercise was individualized in terms of repetitions and duration according to the participant's capacity. The program was updated every two weeks by adding a new type of exercise. In the cool-down phase, stretching, breathing techniques, and relaxation exercises were performed.

Other: core exercises

functional strenght exercises

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

The participants performed a total of 18 exercise sessions, three times per week over six weeks. All sessions were supervised by a specialist physiotherapist and lasted approximately 45 minutes. Each session consisted of three parts: warm-up, main exercises, and cool-down. The warm-up included joint mobilization and low-intensity aerobic movements. The main part involved functional movements such as sit-to-stand, lunge, squat, step-up, and balance-focused exercises. The difficulty level of the exercises was adjusted according to the participant's capacity, and new exercises were added to the program every two weeks. In the cool-down phase, stretching, breathing techniques, and relaxation exercises were performed.

Other: functional strength exercises

education group

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

On the first day of the study, participants received an educational session on lifestyle modifications related to healthy living and women's health. During the session, information was provided on proper posture, ergonomic movements, the importance of posture in daily life, and pain management. After the completion of the study, the Education Group was directed to either the Core and Postural Stabilization Exercise Program or the Functional Strength Exercise Program, according to their preference.

Other: education group

Interventions

core exercises OTHER

The participants performed core exercises three times per week for a total of six weeks

core exercises group

functional strength exercises OTHER

The participants performed functional strength exercises three times per week for a total of six weeks.

functional strenght exercises

education group OTHER

During the educational session, participants were provided with information on proper posture, ergonomic movements, the importance of posture in daily life, and pain management.

education group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 20 Years - 40 Years
• Gender Eligibility Details: Female
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Absence of any chronic musculoskeletal, neurological, or cardiovascular disorders,
• Not engaging in regular exercise or performing physical activity less than twice a week,
• Presence of low back or neck pain not attributable to pathology during daily activities,
• No history of major orthopedic surgery within the last six months.

You may not qualify if:

• Individuals with severe orthopedic, neurological, or cardiovascular diseases,
• Those who have undergone surgical interventions involving the lumbar or cervical regions within the past six months,
• Individuals who regularly participate in physiotherapy or structured exercise programs.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Batman University: lead

Study Sites (2)

Batman University

Batman, Batman, 72000, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

Batman Center

Batman, Gültepe, 72000, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Low Back Pain; Neck Pain

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Back Pain; Pain; Neurologic Manifestations; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Study Officials

• merve yiğit kocamer, lecturer

  Batman University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

merve yiğit kocamer, Phd

CONTACT

+905530856040; merve.yigitkocamer@batman.edu.tr

merve yiğit kocamer, Pdh

CONTACT

05530856040; merve.yigitkocamer@batman.edu.tr

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: lecturer

Model Details: 1. Core exercises group 2. Functional strength exercises group 3. Education Group

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: September 17, 2025
• First Posted: September 24, 2025
• Study Start: September 15, 2025
• Primary Completion: November 15, 2025
• Study Completion: November 30, 2025
• Last Updated: September 24, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-09

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (2)