Comparing physiotherapy approaches for anterior pelvic tilt in non‑specific low back pain

Comparative Analysis of Different Physiotherapy Interventions on Anterior Pelvic Tilt in Subjects With Non-Specific Low Back Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial

This tests whether four different physiotherapy programs help adults aged 20–40 with anterior pelvic tilt and mild-to-moderate non‑specific low back pain feel less pain and improve pelvic posture.

Quick facts

• Phase: Not applicable
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 100 (estimated)
• Ages: 20 Years to 40 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: National Orthopedic and General Hospital (Academic / other)
• Locations: 1 site (Chak Four Hundred Fifty-four, Punjab Province)
• Trial ID: NCT07098741 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This randomized controlled trial will assign adults with confirmed anterior pelvic tilt and mild-to-moderate non‑specific low back pain to one of four physiotherapy programs: core stability plus electrotherapy, soft tissue release with manual therapy and stretching, postural correction with contrast therapy, or a combined electrotherapy and stretching/flexibility regimen. Eligibility requires age 20–40 and confirmation of APT by standardized physical measures (digital inclinometer or goniometer). Outcomes will include pain, pelvic tilt angle, lumbar range of motion, and functional measures collected at baseline and at prespecified follow‑up visits. The interventions are delivered in person at a single hospital site with standardized protocols for each arm.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Adults 20–40 years old with confirmed anterior pelvic tilt and mild-to-moderate non‑specific low back pain who can attend outpatient physiotherapy sessions are ideal candidates.

Not a fit: Patients with severe or specific spinal pathology (for example major structural abnormalities, neurological deficits, recent spine surgery, infection, fracture, or tumor), or those unable to participate in active therapy, are unlikely to benefit from these interventions.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the trial could identify physiotherapy approaches that reduce pain, correct pelvic alignment, and improve daily function without surgery or long‑term medications.

How similar studies have performed: Previous trials report modest benefits for core stability and manual therapy in non‑specific low back pain, but direct head‑to‑head comparisons focused specifically on anterior pelvic tilt are limited.

Eligibility criteria

INCLUSION CRITERIA:

1. Age: Participants must be between 20 and 40 years old.
2. Gender: Both genders, Male and Female have equal chance of selection as participant in the study.
3. Diagnosis: Participants must have a confirmed diagnosis of non-specific low back pain (NSLBP), altered lumbar posture, restricted range of motion of lumbar spine due to muscular spasm etc., altered anterior pelvic tilt angle by a qualified healthcare professional, based on standardized diagnostic criteria (e.g., clinical examination, imaging studies).
4. Confirmation of Anterior Pelvic Tilt (APT): Participants exhibiting APT confirmed through physical assessment by a trained examiner. This confirmation will involve the use of standardized measures such as digital inclinometers or goniometers.
5. Severity: Participants should have mild to moderate symptoms of non-specific low back pain (NSLBP) specially pain, as determined by the assessing healthcare provider.
6. Physical Capability: Participants who are physically capable of performing the prescribed exercises and interventions without significant limitations.
7. Consent: Participants who provide informed consent to participate in the study after receiving detailed information about the study objectives, procedures, potential risks, and benefits.
8. Compliance: Participants who are willing and able to comply with the study procedures, including attending scheduled sessions, adhering to the intervention protocols, and completing required assessments.
9. No Concurrent Treatment: Participants who have not undergone any concurrent treatments specifically targeting APT or low back pain during the study period to avoid confounding effects.

EXCLUSION CRITERIA:

1. Trauma or Fracture: Individuals with a history of trauma or fracture around the pelvic and lumbar region, as this may significantly affect the participant's ability to perform the prescribed exercises and interventions and confound study outcomes.
2. Orthopedic or Neurological Surgery: Participants with a history of orthopedic or neurological surgery related to the pelvic or lumbar region, as this may impact the participant's musculoskeletal function and response to the interventions.
3. Malignancy: Individuals with a diagnosis of malignancy, as this may introduce confounding variables and complicate the interpretation of study outcomes.
4. Autoimmune Disorders: Participants with autoimmune disorders affecting musculoskeletal function, as these conditions may influence the participant's response to interventions and introduce variability in study outcomes.
5. Referred or Radiating Visceral Pains: Individuals experiencing referred or radiating visceral pains, as these symptoms may indicate underlying pathologies requiring specific treatment and may confound the assessment of APT and NSLBP.
6. Gait Abnormalities and Neurological Disorders: Participants with gait abnormalities or neurological disorders affecting musculoskeletal function, as these conditions may influence the participant's ability to perform exercises and interventions and confound study outcomes.
7. Congenital and Developmental Disorders: Individuals with congenital or developmental disorders affecting musculoskeletal function, as these conditions may introduce variability in study outcomes and complicate the interpretation of results.
8. Pregnancy: Pregnant individuals will be excluded from the study due to the potential risks associated with certain physiotherapy modalities and the need for specialized considerations in this population.
9. Contraindications: Participants with contraindications to specific physiotherapy modalities included in the study protocol (e.g., contraindications to electrotherapy) will be excluded to ensure participant safety.
10. Inability to Attend Sessions: Participants who are unable to attend scheduled physiotherapy sessions due to logistical constraints (e.g., transportation issues, scheduling conflicts) will be excluded.
11. Cognitive Impairment: Participants with significant cognitive impairment or communication difficulties that may impede their ability to understand and follow study instructions will be excluded.
12. Participation in Other Research: Participants who are currently participating in other research studies involving treatment interventions for MPS and/or radiculopathy will be excluded to avoid potential confounding effects on outcomes and treatment adherence.

Where this trial is running

Chak Four Hundred Fifty-four, Punjab Province

• National Orthopedic & General Hospital — Chak Four Hundred Fifty-four, Punjab Province, Pakistan (Recruiting)

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Mahtab AM Patafi, MPhil

Conditions Anterior Pelvic Tilt; Low Back Pain; physiotherapy interventions; Non specific low back pain; anterior pelvic tilt; low back pain treatment