Core Strengthening Effects in Low Back Pain in Overweight Adults

NCT07727525 | Completed DMC

• 1 other identifier: RIPHAH/RCRS/REC/Letter- 01410
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 60
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Mechanical low back pain is one of the most common musculoskeletal disorders among overweight adults and can lead to pain, disability, and reduced quality of life. Weakness of the core muscles may contribute to poor spinal stability and persistence of symptoms. Core strengthening exercises have been proposed as an effective treatment; however, evidence regarding their additional benefit over conventional physical therapy remains limited. This randomized controlled trial aimed to determine the effects of adding core strengthening exercises to conventional physical therapy in overweight adults with mechanical low back pain. Sixty participants aged 25-45 years with a body mass index (BMI) of 25 kg/m² or greater and chronic mechanical low back pain lasting more than three months were randomly assigned to either an experimental group or a control group. The experimental group received core strengthening exercises (planks, side planks, and superman exercises) in addition to conventional physical therapy, while the control group received conventional physical therapy alone. Both groups also received therapeutic hot packs and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS). Participants attended three treatment sessions per week for six weeks. Primary outcomes included pain intensity measured by the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), functional disability measured by the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and body fat percentage measured using the Jackson-Pollock skinfold method. Outcomes were assessed before and after the six-week intervention. The study evaluated whether adding core strengthening exercises to conventional physical therapy provides greater improvements in pain, disability, and body fat percentage in overweight adults with mechanical low back pain.

Conditions

Mechanical Low Back Pain; Chronic Low Back Pain

Keywords

Mechanical Low Back Pain; Core Strengthening; Overweight Adults; Superman Exercise; Conventional Physical Therapy

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

• Pain Intensity

  Pain intensity will be assessed using the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), an 11-point scale ranging from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst imaginable pain). Lower scores indicate reduced pain intensity.

  Baseline and after 6 weeks of intervention

• Functional Disability

  Functional disability will be measured using the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). The ODI is a validated questionnaire that evaluates disability associated with low back pain. Lower scores indicate better functional status.

  Baseline and after 6 weeks of intervention

• Body Fat Percentage

  Body fat percentage will be measured using the Jackson-Pollock three-site skinfold method with skinfold calipers. Changes in body fat percentage will be compared before and after the intervention.

  Baseline and after 6 weeks of intervention

Study Arms (2)

Experimental Group (Core Strengthening + Conventional Physical Therapy)

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants assigned to the experimental arm received a combination of core strengthening exercises (plank, side plank, and superman exercises) together with conventional physical therapy exercises (bridging, knee-to-chest, back extension, and pelvic rotation). All participants also received a therapeutic hot pack and continuous transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) for 10 minutes. Treatment was provided three times per week for six weeks (18 sessions).

Procedure: Core Strengthening Exercise Program + Conventional Physical Therapy; Procedure: Conventional Physical Therapy

Control Group (Conventional Physical Therapy)

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants assigned to the control arm received conventional physical therapy consisting of bridging, knee-to-chest, back extension, and pelvic rotation exercises. All participants also received a therapeutic hot pack and continuous transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) for 10 minutes. Treatment was provided three times per week for six weeks (18 sessions).

Procedure: Core Strengthening Exercise Program + Conventional Physical Therapy; Procedure: Conventional Physical Therapy

Interventions

Core Strengthening Exercise Program + Conventional Physical Therapy PROCEDURE

Participants received a supervised exercise program consisting of core strengthening exercises (plank, side plank, and superman exercises) in addition to conventional physical therapy exercises (bridging, knee-to-chest, back extension, and pelvic rotation). Each exercise was performed for 10 repetitions with a 10-second hold. Participants also received a therapeutic hot pack and continuous transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) for 10 minutes before exercise. Treatment was provided three sessions per week for six weeks (18 sessions).

Control Group (Conventional Physical Therapy); Experimental Group (Core Strengthening + Conventional Physical Therapy)

Conventional Physical Therapy PROCEDURE

Participants received conventional physical therapy consisting of bridging, knee-to-chest, back extension, and pelvic rotation exercises. Each exercise was performed for 10 repetitions with a 10-second hold. Participants also received a therapeutic hot pack and continuous transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) for 10 minutes before exercise. Treatment was provided three sessions per week for six weeks (18 sessions).

Control Group (Conventional Physical Therapy); Experimental Group (Core Strengthening + Conventional Physical Therapy)

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 25 Years - 45 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Male and female participants. Age between 25 and 45 years. Diagnosed with chronic mechanical low back pain lasting more than 3 months. Body Mass Index (BMI) ≥ 25 kg/m² (overweight or obese). Body fat percentage \> 25%. Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) score \< 7 at baseline. Able and willing to provide written informed consent. Willing to participate in the complete 6-week intervention program.

You may not qualify if:

• Non-mechanical low back pain. Acute low back pain. Previous lumbar spine surgery (e.g., laminectomy or discectomy). Spondylolisthesis. Osteoporosis or spinal fractures. Cauda equina syndrome. Current history of spinal trauma or surgery. Lumbar spine myelopathy. Diagnosed metabolic diseases. Neurological disorders affecting the spine or lower limbs. Any medical condition that would contraindicate participation in the exercise program.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Ibadat International University, Islamabad: lead

Study Sites (1)

Elite Physical Therapy Centre

Rawalpindi, Punjab Province, Pakistan

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Low Back Pain

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

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

Study Officials

• Dr Jawad Naveed, MS

  Riphah College of Rehabilitation & Allied Health Sciences, Riphah International University, Islamabad

  STUDY CHAIR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT
• Masking Details: Participants were randomly assigned to one of two parallel groups. The experimental group received core strengthening exercises in addition to conventional physical therapy, while the control group received conventional physical therapy alone. Both groups were treated concurrently for six weeks, and outcomes were compared between groups at the end of the intervention.
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: July 10, 2026
• First Posted: July 27, 2026
• Study Start: January 15, 2023
• Primary Completion: May 11, 2023
• Study Completion: June 30, 2023
• Last Updated: July 27, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-07

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

PA (1)