Comparing physical therapy methods for facet joint pain

Multimodal Physical Therapy Approach With and Without Proprioceptive Training in Lumber Facet Joint Syndrome.

NA · Riphah International University · NCT05931653

This study is testing whether adding balance training to physical therapy helps people with facet joint pain feel better and move more easily.

Quick facts

PhaseNA
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment50 (estimated)
Ages25 Years to 53 Years
SexAll
SponsorRiphah International University (other)
Locations3 sites (Rawalpindi, Punjab and 2 other locations)
Trial IDNCT05931653 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This randomized clinical trial aims to evaluate the effects of multimodal physical therapy with and without proprioceptive training on patients suffering from facet joint syndrome. Conducted over six weeks, participants will receive three therapy sessions per week, with assessments of pain, lumbar range of motion, disability, fatigue, lumbar lordosis curvature, and balance conducted before and after the intervention. The study will analyze the data using SPSS to determine the comparative effectiveness of the two treatment approaches.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are patients over 65 years old diagnosed with facet joint syndrome who meet specific clinical criteria.

Not a fit: Patients with facet joint pain not meeting the inclusion criteria or those with contraindications to physical therapy may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could provide a more effective treatment option for patients with facet joint pain, potentially improving their quality of life.

How similar studies have performed: While similar approaches have been explored, this specific combination of multimodal physical therapy and proprioceptive training is relatively novel.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Patients with facet joint syndrome diagnosed by standard criteria. This criterion includes:

  * One point tenderness under X-ray radiography
  * Kemp sign.
  * Catching pain.
  * Pain increases with lumbar extension.
  * Pain with bilateral SLR.
  * Or pain diminishes with Medial branch block or Facet joint block.
  * Provocation Maneuver. Acevedo sign (Facet stress sign) Unilateral facet palpation Percussion spinal test Impaired range of motion Jump test
  * Revel's criteria 05 out of 07- 1. age greater than 65 years and pain that was not exacerbated by coughing, not worsened by hyperextension, not worsened by forward flexion, not worsened when rising from flexion, not worsened by extension-rotation, and well-relieved by recumbency.

Standing flexion, returning from standing flexion, standing extension, the extension rotation test.

* On Biodex balance system (BBS), overall stability index between 0.7-2.8.
* On Biodex balance system (BBS) Limits of stability Anterior: less than 80, posterior: less than 40 and lateral: less than 160 (80 on each side) 75% LOS (moderate level).
* NPRS ratings greater than 4
* Constant or Intermittent pain worsening on repeated movements

Exclusion Criteria:

* T-score of -2.5 or lower.
* BMI is 30.0 or higher.
* Patients with Lumbar Postural Syndrome
* Patients with Lumbar Instability
* Post laminectomy/discectomy
* Spondylolisthesis
* Osteoporosis/Fractures
* Cauda equine syndrome
* Recent history of spinal trauma or surgery
* Lumbar myelopathy
* Patients with known metabolic diseases
* Participants having less than 20% ODI scoring

Where this trial is running

Rawalpindi, Punjab and 2 other locations

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Conditions: Facet Joint Pain, Low back pain, Facet joint, Range of motion, Balance, Fatigue, Lordosis

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.