Effects of Lumbar Stabilization Exercises Versus Muscular Chain Therapy in Patients With Mechanical Chronic Low Back Pain

NCT07523906 | Recruiting DMC

• 1 other identifier: IIUI/RERC/ADT/2026/01/223
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 42
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The goal of this randomized controlled trial is to compare the effectiveness of lumbar stabilization exercises and muscular chain therapy on reducing pain intensity and functional disability in patients with mechanical CLBP.

• Participants will be randomly assigned to two groups:
• Group A: Lumbar stabilization exercises
• Group B: Muscular chain therapy (posterior sagittal muscle chain) Outcomes will be assessed at baseline and on week 6 to evaluate which exercise program is more effective in reducing pain and improving functional outcomes.

Conditions

Low Back Pain, Mechanical

Keywords

Low Back Pain; Lumbar Stabilization Exercises; Muscular Chain Therapy; Functional Disability

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Pain Intensity

  Pain Intensity will be measured by Numerical Pain Rating Scale

  Assessment will be done at baseline and on Week 6.

• Functional Disability

  Functional Disability will be assessed using Oswestry Disability Index

  Assessment will be done at baseline and on Week 6

Study Arms (2)

Lumbar Stabilization Exercises

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants will receive lumbar stabilization exercises (Abdominal drawing-in maneuver, Pelvic tilts, Bridging exercise), Repetitions: 10-15 reps per exercise- Sets: 2-3 sets per exercise, Rest Between Sets: 30-45 seconds.

Other: Lumbar Stabilization Exercises

Muscular Chain Therapy

EXPERIMENTAL

1. Straightening the lumbar spine while maintaining hip neutrality and preventing knee flexion. 2. Hip flexion while avoiding lumbar flexion. Static holds: 3-5 repetitions per posture, Hold Duration: 2-3 minutes initially, progressing to 5 minutes ,Rest Interval: 1-2 minutes between repetitions

Other: Muscular Chain Therapy

Interventions

Lumbar Stabilization Exercises OTHER

Participants will receive lumbar stabilization exercises (Abdominal drawing-in maneuver, Pelvic tilts, Bridging exercise), Repetitions: 10-15 reps per exercise- Sets: 2-3 sets per exercise, Rest Between Sets: 30-45 seconds.

Lumbar Stabilization Exercises

Muscular Chain Therapy OTHER

1. Straightening the lumbar spine while maintaining hip neutrality and preventing knee flexion. 2. Hip flexion while avoiding lumbar flexion. Static holds: 3-5 repetitions per posture, Hold Duration: 2-3 minutes initially, progressing to 5 minutes ,Rest Interval: 1-2 minutes between repetitions

Muscular Chain Therapy

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 30 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Patients aged between 18-30 years will be included in the study.
• Participants must have a history of mechanical CLBP.
• The pain must be localized to the lumbar region.
• Participants must be able to perform physical activities and participate in exercise-based interventions.
• Participants who have pain range \> 4 will be included in the study.

You may not qualify if:

• Patient with structural lesions, such as spondylolisthesis, stenosis, vertebral bone fracture, scoliosis and kyphosis on x-ray, will be excluded.
• Pregnant females would be excluded.
• Females with a history of neurological, infections, and systemic disease, including cerebrovascular disease, spondylitis, cancer, spinal cord disease, cauda equine, rheumatologic disorders.
• Females who have undergone spinal surgery or any surgical intervention related to the lower back or pelvis will be excluded.
• Lumbar radiculopathy will be excluded in the study.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Ibadat International University, Islamabad: lead

Study Sites (1)

Faculty of Allied Health & Biological Sciences

Islamabad, Pakistan

RECRUITING

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Low Back Pain

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

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

Study Officials

• Muhammad Nazim Farooq, PhD-PT

  Ibadat International University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Inza Farooq, MS-PT(MSK)*

CONTACT

00923115392269; inzafarooq9@gmail.com

Fatima Amjad, MS-SPT

CONTACT

00923330940975; fatima.amjad@uipt.iiui.edu.pk

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: DOUBLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Masking Details: This randomized controlled trial was double-blinded. Participants were randomly assigned to either the lumbar Stabilization Exercise group or the muscular chain therapy group using a simple randomization (lottery) method. Participants were informed that both interventions were effective physiotherapy treatments for chronic low back pain but were not told which group they belonged to. The outcome assessor, who had over fifteen years of experience, remained blinded to group allocation throughout data collection at baseline and week 6. To maintain blinding, participants were instructed not to disclose their exercise details during assessment, and all data were recorded using coded identifiers (Group A or B).
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: April 5, 2026
• First Posted: April 13, 2026
• Study Start: February 4, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): May 30, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): June 15, 2026
• Last Updated: April 13, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-04

Locations

PA (1)