Comparative Effects of McGill Stabilization Exercises and Pilates on Pain, Muscle Thickness, Flexibility and Disability in Patients With Chronic Non-Specific Low Back Pain.
Sponsor study identifier
interventional
40
1 country
1
Study Start
October 23, 2026
Estimated (date passed)This estimate has passed. The registry has not confirmed an actual date for this milestone.
Primary Completion
December 31, 2026
EstimatedPlanned date reported by the registry; this milestone is not confirmed as achieved.
Study Completion
December 31, 2026
EstimatedPlanned date reported by the registry; this milestone is not confirmed as achieved.
The goal of this clinical trial is to compare the effects of McGill Stabilization Exercises and Pilates on pain, muscle thickness, lumbar flexibility, and disability in adults aged 30-50 years with chronic non-specific low back pain. The main questions it aims to answer are:
Registry-reported information. Elapsed time and enrollment totals alone do not measure study progress or recruitment pace.
December 31, 2026
EstimatedPlanned date reported by the registry; this milestone is not confirmed as achieved.
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Dates and qualifiers reported by the registry. Estimated dates do not confirm that a milestone has occurred.
October 22, 2026
Actual (reported)October 23, 2026
Estimated (date passed)This estimate has passed. The registry has not confirmed an actual date for this milestone.
October 29, 2026
Actual (reported)December 31, 2026
EstimatedPlanned date reported by the registry; this milestone is not confirmed as achieved.
December 31, 2026
EstimatedPlanned date reported by the registry; this milestone is not confirmed as achieved.
Numeric pain Rating Scale
The 11-point Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) is a commonly used tool for assessing the intensity of pain. Participants are asked to rate their pain on a scale ranging from 0 to 10, where 0 indicates no pain and 10 represents the worst possible pain. Participants rate the intensity of pain experienced on the day of assessment.
Baseline and after 6 weeks
Modified Modified Schober Test (MMST)
The Modified Modified Schober Test (MMST) is a clinical measurement tool used to assess lumbar spine flexibility and mobility. The measurement is performed with the participant standing upright. The examiner palpates the lower border of the posterior superior iliac spines (PSIS), marks the identified point, and draws a horizontal line across the skin through both PSIS landmarks and the midline of the lumbar spine. A second horizontal mark is made 15 cm above the first mark using a measuring tape. The participant is then instructed to bend forward as far as comfortably possible, keeping the knees extended and avoiding painful movement. The examiner measures the distance between the two marks in the upright and forward-flexed positions. The difference between these measurements indicates lumbar flexion mobility, with a greater increase in distance suggesting greater lumbar flexibility. An increase of less than 5 cm is considered indicative of restricted lumbar mobility.
Baseline and after 6 weeks
Modified Oswestry Disability Index
Disability will be assessed using the Modified Oswestry Disability Index (MODI), a modified version of the original Oswestry Disability Index. In this version, the section on sexual activity is replaced with questions related to employment and homemaking abilities, as the sexual activity section is frequently left unanswered. The MODI score ranges from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating greater disability. Scores are classified as minimal disability (0-20), moderate disability (21-40), severe disability (41-60), crippling disability (61-80), and bed-bound disability (81-100).
Participants will receive a 45-minute treatment session consisting of 20 minutes of McGill stabilization exercises and 25 minutes of conventional physiotherapy. The exercise programme will begin with a warm-up comprising five exercises: back awareness, pelvic tilts, lumbar rotation, arm movements, and whole-body movements in standing. Participants will perform five sets of each exercise during the second week, with the number of sets progressively increased to ten by the fourth week.
minutes, twice weekly for six weeks, in small groups of two to three. Before starting the intervention, participants attended an introductory session to learn the basic Pilates exercises and principles, including breathing, concentration, centering, control, precision, and rhythm. They were instructed to apply these principles throughout each session. The physiotherapist demonstrated each exercise and supervised its performance, providing verbal instructions and corrective feedback when necessary. Exercise intensity was progressively advanced after three weeks based on participants' performance and ability to maintain proper Pilates technique. Progression included modifying body positions and introducing an exercise ball and resistance band. The number of repetitions was also increased, reaching 20 repetitions by the fourth week.
Participants will receive a 45-minute treatment session consisting of 20 minutes of McGill stabilization exercises and 25 minutes of conventional physiotherapy. The exercise programme will begin with a warm-up comprising five exercises: back awareness, pelvic tilts, lumbar rotation, arm movements, and whole-body movements in standing. Participants will perform five sets of each exercise during the second week, with the number of sets progressively increased to ten by the fourth week.
UMT
Lahore, Punjab Province, 54000, Pakistan
First Submitted
October 22, 2026
First Posted
October 29, 2026
Study Start
October 23, 2026
Estimated (date passed)This estimate has passed. The registry has not confirmed an actual date for this milestone.
Primary Completion
Baseline and after 6 weeks
MSK Ultrasound
Musculoskeletal ultrasonography will be used to assess transversus abdominis (TrA) muscle thickness using an ultrasound device equipped with a high-frequency linear array transducer (7.5-14 MHz). The probe will be positioned perpendicular to the muscle at the midpoint of the line connecting the iliac crest to the inferior angle of the last rib. Muscle thickness will be measured using a perpendicular caliper placed between the superficial and deep hyperechoic fascial borders. Three measurements will be obtained, and their average will be used for statistical analysis.
Baseline and after 6 weeks
After baseline assessments, participants will underwent supervised Pilates sessions lasting approximately 60 minutes, twice weekly for six weeks, in small groups of two to three. Exercise intensity was progressively advanced after three weeks based on participants' performance and ability to maintain proper Pilates technique. Progression included modifying body positions and introducing an exercise ball and resistance band. The number of repetitions was also increased, reaching 20 repetitions by the fourth week.
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December 31, 2026
Planned date reported by the registry; this milestone is not confirmed as achieved.
Study Completion
December 31, 2026
EstimatedPlanned date reported by the registry; this milestone is not confirmed as achieved.
Last Updated
October 29, 2026
Record last verified: 2026-10
The results data collected , de-identified individual participant data will be shared.
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