Sensorimotor Balance Training for Chronic Nonspecific Low Back Pain

NCT07677189 | Not Yet Recruiting DMC

• 1 other identifier: 202604-076-043471-094936
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 80
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Chronic nonspecific low back pain is one of the most common causes of pain and disability worldwide. Many people with chronic low back pain experience difficulties with balance, posture, movement control, and daily activities. Sensorimotor balance training is a rehabilitation approach designed to improve balance, body awareness, and neuromuscular control. The purpose of this randomized controlled trial is to investigate whether sensorimotor balance training is more effective than standard physiotherapy in reducing pain and improving spinal alignment in adults with chronic nonspecific low back pain. Participants will be randomly assigned to either a sensorimotor balance training group or a standard physiotherapy group. Both groups will receive treatment three times per week for 12 weeks. Pain intensity, functional disability, and spinal alignment will be assessed before and after the intervention. Spinal alignment will be measured using the DIERS Formetric 4D system, a non-invasive and radiation-free technology that evaluates posture and spinal shape. The findings of this study may help identify effective rehabilitation strategies for improving pain, function, and spinal alignment in people with chronic nonspecific low back pain.

Conditions

Chronic Nonspecific Low Back Pain

Keywords

Chronic Nonspecific Low Back Pain; Sensorimotor Balance Training; Neuromuscular Control; Spinal Alignment; Physiotherapy; Rehabilitation

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Pain Intensity Measured by the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS)

  The Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) is a self-reported measure of pain intensity scored from 0 to 10, where 0 indicates no pain and 10 indicates the worst imaginable pain. The primary outcome will be the change in pain intensity from baseline to the end of the 12-week intervention period.

  Baseline and Week 12

• Spinal Alignment Measured by DIERS Formetric 4D

  Spinal alignment will be assessed using the DIERS Formetric 4D system, a non-invasive and radiation-free surface topography method. Parameters evaluated will include trunk imbalance, pelvic tilt, and sagittal spinal curvature. The outcome measure will be the change in spinal alignment parameters from baseline to the end of the intervention period.

  Baseline and Week 12

Secondary Outcomes (1)

• Functional Disability Measured by the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI)

  Baseline and Week 12

Study Arms (2)

Sensorimotor Balance Training

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants in this arm will receive sensorimotor balance training designed to improve proprioception, postural stability, and neuromuscular control. The intervention will be delivered three times per week for 12 weeks. Exercises include wobble board balance training, core activation exercises, and dynamic single-leg stance activities, with progressive increases in difficulty throughout the intervention period.

Behavioral: Sensorimotor Balance Training

Standard Physiotherapy

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants in this arm will receive standard physiotherapy treatment consisting of stretching and core strengthening exercises. Treatment will be provided three times per week for 12 weeks using a standardized progression protocol.

Behavioral: Standard Physiotherapy

Interventions

Standard Physiotherapy BEHAVIORAL

Participants will receive standard physiotherapy treatment consisting of stretching and core strengthening exercises. The intervention will be delivered three times per week for 12 weeks, with each session lasting approximately 45 minutes. A standardized progression protocol will be followed throughout the intervention period to ensure consistency of treatment delivery across participants.

Standard Physiotherapy

Sensorimotor Balance Training BEHAVIORAL

Participants will receive a structured sensorimotor balance training program designed to improve proprioception, postural stability, and neuromuscular control. The intervention will be delivered three times per week for 12 weeks, with each session lasting approximately 45 minutes. Exercises include wobble board balance training, core activation exercises, and dynamic single-leg stance activities. Exercise difficulty will be progressively increased every two weeks according to participant performance and

Sensorimotor Balance Training

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 59 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Adults aged 18 to 59 years. Diagnosis of chronic nonspecific low back pain lasting at least 3 months. Pain intensity score of 4 or greater on the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS). Body Mass Index (BMI) between 25 and 35 kg/m². Ability to safely participate in the exercise program and comply with study procedures.

You may not qualify if:

• Acute low back injury. History of spinal surgery. Neurological disorders affecting movement or balance. Musculoskeletal disorders affecting movement or balance. Professional athletes. Individuals engaged in heavy manual labor. Any medical condition that would prevent safe participation in the intervention program.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Najran University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Physiotherapy Clinics, Department of Medical Rehabilitation Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Najran University

Najran, Najran Region, 61441, Saudi Arabia

Location

Central Study Contacts

Adel Alshahrani, PhD, PT

CONTACT

+966 54 822 6011; amsalshahrani@nu.edu.sa

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Masking Details: Outcome assessors will be blinded to participants' group assignments throughout the study to minimize assessment bias. Due to the nature of the physiotherapy interventions, participants and treating physiotherapists cannot be blinded to treatment allocation.
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Associate Professor, Department of Medical Rehabilitation Sciences, Najran University

Model Details: Participants will be randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to either a sensorimotor balance training group or a standard physiotherapy group. Both groups will receive their assigned intervention three times per week for 12 weeks. Outcomes will be assessed at baseline and after completion of the intervention period.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: June 24, 2026
• First Posted: June 30, 2026
• Study Start: July 1, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): January 1, 2027
• Study Completion (Estimated): March 1, 2027
• Last Updated: June 30, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-06

Locations

SA (1)