Positional Release With/Without Exercise for Chronic LBP

NCT07389070 | Completed DMC

• 1 other identifier: PAU
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 60
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Chronic low back pain (CLBP) presents a significant therapeutic challenge due to its multifactorial nature and high recurrence rate. While manual therapy techniques like Positional Release Technique (PRT) are commonly employed to modulate pain and improve tissue function, there is a growing consensus in rehabilitation that their effects may be transient if not coupled with active strategies to address underlying impairments. Therapeutic exercises (TE) form a cornerstone of CLBP management by aiming to restore strength, endurance, and neuromuscular control. However, the specific additive benefit of combining a passive, indirect technique like PRT with a structured TE program remains an area for empirical investigation. This study, therefore, sought to compare the clinical effectiveness of an integrated approach using PRT alongside TE against the application of PRT alone, hypothesizing that the combined intervention. would yield superior outcomes in pain reduction and functional improvement for individuals with CLBP.

Conditions

Back Disorder

Keywords

LBP; PRT; Exercies

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

• VAS

  A validated, single-item scale used to measure subjective pain intensity. Patients mark a point on a 10-cm line anchored by "no pain" (0) and "worst pain imaginable" (10). The score is the measured distance in cm/mm, providing a quantitative pain rating.

  4 weeks

• RMQ

  The Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMQ) is a widely used, self-administered, health status measure designed to assess physical function and disability specifically related to low back pain. It consists of 24 yes/no statements derived from the Sickness Impact Profile, each describing a specific activity limitation due to back pain (e.g., "I walk more slowly because of my back"). The total score (0-24) is the sum of items marked "yes," with a higher score indicating greater disability. It is valued for its brevity, ease of use, and responsiveness to clinical change.

  4 weeks

• Endurance

  An endurance test is a performance-based assessment that measures the ability of specific muscle groups (particularly the trunk stabilizers: back extensors, flexors, and lateral musculature) to maintain a submaximal contraction or a fixed posture against gravity over time. Common examples used in low back pain research include the prone plank (trunk flexors), Sorensen/Biering-Sørensen test (back extensors), and side plank (lateral stabilizers). The outcome is the time (in seconds) the position can be held until failure, providing an objective measure of muscular stamina.

  4 weeks

Study Arms (2)

arm 1- Group A (PRT): Positional Release Technique with exercises

EXPERIMENTAL

Group A (n=30) underwent a 12-session program over four weeks. Each 40-minute session combined two 30-minute positional release procedures with three 10-minute therapeutic exercise modules.

Other: PRT with exercises

arm 2- Group A (PRT): Positional Release Technique without exercises

EXPERIMENTAL

Group B received 12 treatment sessions over four weeks (three sessions/week), each consisting of two positional release procedures totaling 30 minutes.

Other: PRT Without exercises

Interventions

PRT with exercises OTHER

Postional release technique with exercises.

arm 1- Group A (PRT): Positional Release Technique with exercises

PRT Without exercises OTHER

Postional release technique without exercises.

arm 2- Group A (PRT): Positional Release Technique without exercises

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 20 Years - 65 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Participants aged 20-65 years.
• Clinical diagnosis of chronic low back pain (CLBP).
• Positive Faber (Patrick's) test.
• Positive Slump test.
• A pain intensity score of ≥3 on the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS).
• Symptoms presenting with or without referred leg pain.

You may not qualify if:

• Diagnosis of spondylolisthesis, disc disease, osteoporosis, or other significant bone disease.
• History of vertebral fractures.
• History of spinal surgery.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Palestine Ahliya University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Palestine Ahliya University

Bethlehem, West Bank, 3600700, Palestinian Territories

Location

Related Publications (1)

• https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMcp2032396

  BACKGROUND

MeSH Terms

Interventions

Hypoxanthine Phosphoribosyltransferase; Exercise

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Pentosyltransferases; Glycosyltransferases; Transferases; Enzymes; Enzymes and Coenzymes; Motor Activity; Movement; Musculoskeletal Physiological Phenomena; Musculoskeletal and Neural Physiological Phenomena

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: INVESTIGATOR
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Azzam M. Alarab, Ph.D Assistant Professor Chairperson, Department of Medical Sciences - Master's Palestine Ahliya University

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: January 24, 2026
• First Posted: February 5, 2026
• Study Start: June 1, 2024
• Primary Completion: September 30, 2024
• Study Completion: October 30, 2024
• Last Updated: February 5, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-01

Locations

PA (1)