Lumbar stabilization exercises versus muscular chain therapy for mechanical chronic low back pain

Effects of Lumbar Stabilization Exercises Versus Muscular Chain Therapy on Pain and Functional Disability in Patients With Mechanical Chronic Low Back Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial

This trial tests whether lumbar stabilization exercises or muscular chain (posterior sagittal) therapy better reduce pain and disability in people aged 18–30 with mechanical chronic low back pain.

Quick facts

• Phase: Not applicable
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 42 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Years to 30 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: Ibadat International University, Islamabad (Academic / other)
• Locations: 1 site (Islamabad)
• Trial ID: NCT07523906 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This is a randomized controlled trial that assigns participants to either a lumbar stabilization exercise program or muscular chain therapy targeting the posterior sagittal muscle chain. Outcomes of pain intensity and functional disability are measured at baseline and after six weeks to compare short-term effects. Eligible participants are adults 18–30 with localized mechanical chronic low back pain and pain greater than 4, while people with structural spinal lesions, radiculopathy, prior lumbar surgery, pregnancy, or major systemic/neurologic disease are excluded. The interventions are exercise-based and delivered at a single site in Islamabad.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are ambulatory adults aged 18–30 with localized mechanical chronic low back pain and a pain score above 4 who can safely participate in exercise programs and have no structural spinal pathology.

Not a fit: People with structural spine diseases (e.g., spondylolisthesis, stenosis, fractures, scoliosis), lumbar radiculopathy, prior spinal surgery, pregnancy, or systemic neurologic/rheumatologic conditions are unlikely to benefit or qualify for this protocol.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the results could identify a simple, low-cost exercise approach that reduces pain and improves function for young adults with mechanical chronic low back pain.

How similar studies have performed: Core and lumbar stabilization exercise programs have shown benefit in multiple prior trials for chronic low back pain, whereas muscular chain therapy is less commonly studied in randomized controlled settings.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

* Patients aged between 18-30 years will be included in the study.
* Participants must have a history of mechanical CLBP.
* The pain must be localized to the lumbar region.
* Participants must be able to perform physical activities and participate in exercise-based interventions.
* Participants who have pain range \> 4 will be included in the study.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Patient with structural lesions, such as spondylolisthesis, stenosis, vertebral bone fracture, scoliosis and kyphosis on x-ray, will be excluded.
* Pregnant females would be excluded.
* Females with a history of neurological, infections, and systemic disease, including cerebrovascular disease, spondylitis, cancer, spinal cord disease, cauda equine, rheumatologic disorders.
* Females who have undergone spinal surgery or any surgical intervention related to the lower back or pelvis will be excluded.
* Lumbar radiculopathy will be excluded in the study.

Where this trial is running

Islamabad

• Faculty of Allied Health & Biological Sciences — Islamabad, Pakistan (Recruiting)

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Muhammad Nazim Farooq, PhD-PT — Ibadat International University
• Study coordinator: Inza Farooq, MS-PT(MSK)*

Conditions Low Back Pain, Mechanical; Low Back Pain; Lumbar Stabilization Exercises; Muscular Chain Therapy; Functional Disability