McGill Versus Sahrmann's Exercises for Chronic Non-Specific Low Back Pain

NCT07724704 | Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: REC/RCR & AHS/25/0146
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 40
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to compare the effects of McGill stabilization exercises and Sahrmann's movement-based exercise protocol in adults with chronic non-specific low back pain. The study aims to determine which exercise program is more effective in reducing pain, improving lumbar range of motion, and decreasing functional disability. The main questions it aims to answer are: Do McGill stabilization exercises reduce pain, improve lumbar range of motion, and decrease disability in individuals with chronic non-specific low back pain? Are McGill stabilization exercises more effective than Sahrmann's movement-based exercise protocol in improving pain, lumbar range of motion, and functional disability? Researchers will compare the McGill stabilization exercise group with the Sahrmann exercise group to determine which intervention provides greater improvements in clinical outcomes. Participants will: Be randomly assigned to either the McGill stabilization exercise group or the Sahrmann exercise group. Receive baseline physiotherapy, including hot pack application, Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS), lumbar isometric exercises, pelvic tilts, knee-to-chest exercises, and manual therapy. Attend supervised treatment sessions 2-3 times per week for 6 weeks. Complete outcome assessments before and after treatment using the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) for pain, the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) for disability, and a bubble inclinometer to measure lumbar range of motion. This study will provide evidence on the comparative effectiveness of two commonly used physiotherapy exercise protocols and help identify the most effective rehabilitation approach for managing chronic non-specific low back pain.

Conditions

Chronic Non-specific Low Back Pain

Keywords

Chronic Non-Specific Low Back Pain; McGill Stabilization Exercise Protocol; Sahrmann Exercise Protocol; Pain Intensity; Lumbar Range of Motion; Functional Disability; Core Stabilization Exercises; Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS); Oswestry Disability Index (ODI); Bubble Inclinometer

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• 1. Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS)

  Pain intensity will be assessed using the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS). The NPRS is a valid and reliable self-reported pain assessment tool that measures pain intensity on an 11-point scale ranging from 0 ("no pain") to 10 ("worst imaginable pain"). Participants will be asked to select the number that best represents their current pain intensity. A decrease in the NPRS score indicates an improvement in pain following the intervention.

  [Time Frame: 6 Weeks]

• 2. Oswestry Disability Index (ODI)

  Functional disability will be assessed using the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). The ODI is a disease-specific, validated questionnaire used to evaluate disability associated with chronic low back pain. It consists of 10 sections covering pain intensity, personal care, lifting, walking, sitting, standing, sleeping, social life, travelling, and employment/homemaking. Each section is scored from 0 to 5, with higher total scores indicating greater disability. A reduction in the ODI score reflects improvement in functional status and daily activities.

  [Time Frame: 6 Weeks]

Secondary Outcomes (1)

• 3. Bubble Inclinometer

  [Time Frame: 6 Weeks]

Study Arms (2)

McGill Stabilization Exercise Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants in this group will receive the McGill stabilization exercise protocol in addition to baseline physiotherapy. The exercise program is designed to improve core stability, spinal stability, lumbar range of motion, reduce pain, and improve functional ability in individuals with chronic non-specific low back pain. The intervention will be administered according to the study protocol for 6 weeks.

Behavioral: McGill Stabilization Exercise Protocol

Sahrmann's Exercise Protocol Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants in this group will receive the Sahrmann's movement-based exercise protocol in addition to baseline physiotherapy. The program focuses on improving lumbopelvic control, correcting movement impairments, restoring normal movement patterns, reducing pain, increasing lumbar range of motion, and improving functional ability over a 6-week intervention period.

Behavioral: Sahrmann's Exercise Protocol

Interventions

McGill Stabilization Exercise Protocol BEHAVIORAL

A progressive exercise program consisting of McGill stabilization exercises aimed at enhancing core muscle endurance, spinal stability, and neuromuscular control while reducing pain and improving lumbar function in individuals with chronic non-specific low back pain.

McGill Stabilization Exercise Group

Sahrmann's Exercise Protocol BEHAVIORAL

A progressive movement-based exercise program designed to improve motor control, activate deep stabilizing muscles, correct faulty movement patterns, and enhance functional performance in individuals with chronic non-specific low back pain.

Sahrmann's Exercise Protocol Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 20 Years - 50 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Adults aged 20-50 years.
• Male and female participants.
• Diagnosed with chronic non-specific low back pain lasting more than 12 weeks.
• Pain intensity of 3-4 on the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) at baseline.
• Able and willing to participate in the exercise program and attend all treatment sessions.
• Willing to provide written informed consent.

You may not qualify if:

• History of spinal surgery.
• Presence of neurological deficits.
• Structural spinal deformities.
• Pregnancy or within 6 months postpartum.
• Presence of red flag signs or systemic illness (e.g., fracture, infection, malignancy, inflammatory disorders).
• Individuals unable or unwilling to participate in the exercise program or complete the study protocol.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Riphah International University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Lahore Clinic Shujabad, THQ Hospital Shujabad

Lahore, Punjab Province, 60000, Pakistan

RECRUITING

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Pain

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

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

Study Officials

• Annum Manzoor, MS OMPT

  Gulab Devi Teaching institute

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Imran Amjad, Phd

CONTACT

03324390125; imran.amjad@riphah.edu.pk

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: DOUBLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT, INVESTIGATOR
• Masking Details: Single (Outcome Assessor)
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Model Details: Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two parallel intervention groups. One group will receive the McGill stabilization exercise protocol, while the other group will receive the Sahrmann's movement-based exercise protocol. Both groups will receive their assigned intervention concurrently throughout the study period, and outcomes will be compared between the groups to determine the relative effectiveness of the two exercise protocols in improving pain, lumbar range of motion, and functional disability in individuals with chronic non-specific low back pain.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: July 21, 2026
• First Posted: July 24, 2026
• Study Start: July 16, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): September 16, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): September 16, 2026
• Last Updated: July 24, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-07

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

PA (1)