Lumbar unloading maneuvers during repeated forward bending
The Effect of Unloading Maneuvers During Spinal Flexion Exposure
This will see if doing specific lumbar unloading maneuvers during repeated forward bending changes trunk mechanics and muscle activity in workers with mixed sitting-and-standing jobs.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 30 (estimated) |
| Ages | 30 Years to 55 Years |
| Sex | Male |
| Sponsor | University of Primorska Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Izola, Primorska) |
| Trial ID | NCT07116720 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This experimental interventional protocol will enroll 30 occupational workers with predominantly non-static jobs. All participants complete a 60-minute intermittent spinal flexion protocol with rest periods; participants in the intervention group perform lumbar unloading maneuvers during those rests while controls rest normally. Trunk mechanical and neuromuscular properties are measured before and after the protocol to capture acute changes. The approach aims to identify whether unloading during repeated flexion alters immediate biomechanical and muscle responses.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are occupational workers with predominantly non-static jobs (mixed sitting and standing) who have no history of chronic or recent acute low back pain, no recent hip injury or prior spine/hip surgery, no diagnosed hypermobility, and who are not engaged in high-intensity resistance training or sports involving repetitive spinal flexion.
Not a fit: People with chronic or recent acute low back pain, prior spine/hip surgery, diagnosed hypermobility, recent hip injury, or those who regularly perform high-intensity resistance training or repetitive spinal-flexion sports are unlikely to benefit and are excluded.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If effective, unloading maneuvers could reduce harmful acute changes in trunk mechanics and muscle activity that contribute to work-related low back problems.
How similar studies have performed: Prior laboratory studies have reported biomechanical and neuromuscular changes with unloading-type maneuvers, but clinical benefits for preventing low back problems remain limited and not well established.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Occupational workers with a predominantly non static job (e.g. combination of sitting and standing) Exclusion Criteria: * History of chronic low back pain * Episode of acute low back pain * Hip injury in the past six months * Previous spine, pelvis or hip surgery * Hypermobility, diagnosed with the Beighton score * High intensity resistance training (\> 75 % of 1 repetition maximum) more than two times a week * Sporting or recreational activities, that include repetitive spinal flexion or maintenance of a flexed posture (for example cycling or rowing).
Where this trial is running
Izola, Primorska
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Primorska — Izola, Primorska, Slovenia (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Matej Voglar, PhD
- Email: matej.voglar@fvz.upr.si
- Phone: 0038656635803
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.