Mirror Image Spine Correction Exercises Versus Conservative Physiotherapy for Lumbar Radiculopathy

NCT07558993 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 2 other identifiers: UOS-PHD-LRDTI-2026-01U25103971
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 64
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Lumbar radiculopathy is a common condition caused by irritation or compression of a lumbar nerve root, often resulting in radiating leg pain, numbness, weakness, and functional limitation. Conservative physiotherapy is commonly used as first-line treatment, but outcomes vary among patients. This randomized controlled trial will compare Mirror Image Spine Correction Exercises with standardized conservative physiotherapy in adults with lumbar radiculopathy. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups for 12 weeks. The primary outcome is lumbar nerve root microstructural integrity measured using Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI), including Fractional Anisotropy and other diffusion parameters. Secondary outcomes include pain intensity, disability, spinal alignment, and adverse events. The purpose of this study is to determine whether a targeted posture-correction exercise approach provides greater improvement than conventional physiotherapy.

Conditions

Sciatica; Disc Disease Lumbar; Radiculopathy; Radiculopathy Lumbar

Keywords

Mirror Image Exercise; Physiotherapy; Diffusion Tensor Imaging; DTI; Conservative Physiotherapy; Low Back Pain; Nerve Root Compression; Postural Correction; Randomized Controlled Trial; Rehabilitation

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Lumbar Nerve Root Fractional Anisotropy

  Change in lumbar nerve root microstructural integrity measured using Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) Fractional Anisotropy.

  Baseline and Week 12

Secondary Outcomes (3)

• Pain Intensity

  Baseline and Week 12

• Spinal Alignment

  Baseline and Week 12

• Additional DTI Parameters

  Baseline and Week 12

Study Arms (2)

Mirror Image Spine Correction Exercises

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants will receive a supervised individualized Mirror Image Spine Correction Exercise program three sessions per week for 12 weeks. Exercises will be based on postural alignment findings and include a prescribed home exercise program.

Behavioral: Mirror Image Spine Correction Exercises

Conservative Physiotherapy

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants will receive standardized conservative physiotherapy three sessions per week for 12 weeks including education, graded exercise, mobility training, strengthening, and clinically indicated adjunctive techniques.

Behavioral: Conservative Physiotherapy

Interventions

Mirror Image Spine Correction Exercises BEHAVIORAL

Participants will receive an individualized supervised exercise program based on identified postural alignment deviations. Treatment will be delivered three sessions per week for 12 weeks and may include trunk and pelvic corrective movements, mobility, stabilization, and a prescribed home exercise program.

Mirror Image Spine Correction Exercises

Conservative Physiotherapy BEHAVIORAL

Participants will receive standardized conservative physiotherapy three sessions per week for 12 weeks including education, graded exercise, mobility exercises, strengthening, neural mobilization, and clinically indicated adjunctive non-invasive techniques.

Conservative Physiotherapy

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Adults aged 18 years or older. Clinical diagnosis of unilateral lumbar radiculopathy. Presence of at least two of the following: dermatomal radiating leg pain, neurological deficit, positive neural tension test.
• MRI-confirmed lumbar nerve root compression or irritation consistent with symptoms.
• Pain intensity of 3/10 or greater. Able to undergo MRI and Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI). Able to understand study procedures and provide written informed consent.

You may not qualify if:

• Previous lumbar spine surgery. Bilateral radiculopathy or unclear diagnosis. Tumor, infection, fracture, inflammatory spinal disease, or cauda equina syndrome.
• Severe progressive neurological deficit requiring urgent treatment. Contraindications to MRI (pacemaker, incompatible implants, severe claustrophobia).
• Recent lumbar injections or surgery. Other neurological or musculoskeletal disorders affecting outcomes. Pregnancy if MRI contraindicated by local policy. Cognitive impairment or inability to follow instructions.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Sharjah: lead

Study Sites (1)

Al Qassimi Hospital

Sharjah city, Emirate of Sharjah, United Arab Emirates

Location

Related Publications (2)

• Tarulli AW, Raynor EM. Lumbosacral radiculopathy. Neurol Clin. 2007 May;25(2):387-405. doi: 10.1016/j.ncl.2007.01.008.

  PMID: 17445735 BACKGROUND

• Rubin DI. Epidemiology and risk factors for spine pain. Neurol Clin. 2007 May;25(2):353-71. doi: 10.1016/j.ncl.2007.01.004.

  PMID: 17445733 BACKGROUND

Related Links

• University of Sharjah sponsoring institution

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Radiculopathy; Sciatica; Intervertebral disc disease; Low Back Pain

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Peripheral Nervous System Diseases; Neuromuscular Diseases; Nervous System Diseases; Sciatic Neuropathy; Mononeuropathies; Neuralgia; Pain; Neurologic Manifestations; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Back Pain

Central Study Contacts

Fatima A Alowais, PT

CONTACT

+971566663372; fatimaalowais7@gmail.com

Tamer shousha, PhD

CONTACT

+971562224469; tshousha@sharjah.ac.ae

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Masking Details: Outcome assessors and imaging analysts will be blinded to group allocation where feasible. Participants and treating physiotherapists cannot be blinded due to the nature of exercise interventions.
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Associate Professor, Department of Physiotherapy, Principal Investigator

Model Details: Participants will be randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to one of two parallel treatment groups: Mirror Image Spine Correction Exercises or standardized conservative physiotherapy for 12 weeks.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: April 23, 2026
• First Posted: April 30, 2026
• Study Start (Estimated): September 1, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): August 31, 2027
• Study Completion (Estimated): September 30, 2027
• Last Updated: April 30, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-04

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will share
• Shared Documents: STUDY PROTOCOL, SAP, ICF, ANALYTIC CODE
• Time Frame: De-identified individual participant data and supporting documents will be available beginning 6 months after publication of the primary study results and will remain available for at least 5 years thereafter, subject to institutional data retention policies.
• Access Criteria: Qualified researchers with a methodologically sound proposal may request access to de-identified individual participant data, study protocol, statistical analysis plan, informed consent materials, and analytic code. Requests will be reviewed by the study investigators and institution to ensure scientific merit, participant confidentiality, and compliance with ethical approvals. Data will be shared through secure controlled-access electronic transfer following approval of a data use agreement where required.

Locations

AE (1)