Pilates for postnatal low back pain

The Effect of Pilates Exercises on Nonspecific Low Back Pain in Postnatal Women

Not applicable Interventional Kafrelsheikh University · NCT07359144

This program will test whether supervised Pilates plus a home exercise plan can reduce pain and improve function in postnatal women with chronic nonspecific low back pain.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment48 (estimated)
Ages20 Years to 30 Years
SexFemale
SponsorKafrelsheikh University Academic / other
Locations1 site (Kafr ash Shaykh, Kafrelsheikh)
Trial IDNCT07359144 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This interventional trial enrolls postnatal women aged 20–30 with nonspecific low back pain lasting more than three months, a VAS pain score over 4, BMI ≤30 kg/m2, and parity of one to three. One group will receive a supervised Pilates program combined with a home exercise program while the comparison group will follow a home exercise program alone. Primary outcomes include pain intensity and functional ability, with additional measures of core stability, flexibility, and physical function assessed before and after the intervention period. The trial is conducted at the Faculty of Physical Therapy, Kafrelsheikh University in Kafr ash Shaykh, Egypt.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are postnatal women aged 20–30 referred by a gynecologist with nonspecific low back pain lasting more than three months, a VAS score above 4, BMI ≤30 kg/m2, and parity between one and three.

Not a fit: Women with mechanical low back pain, prior spinal surgery, vertebral fracture or trauma, systemic disorders such as diabetes, current pregnancy, recent physiotherapy for low back pain, or those outside the specified age, BMI, or parity ranges are unlikely to benefit from this program.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the program could reduce pain, improve physical function, and strengthen core muscles in postnatal women with chronic nonspecific low back pain.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown Pilates can reduce pain and improve function in people with low back pain, though evidence specifically in postnatal populations is more limited.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Age ranges from 20 and 30 years old.
* Body mass index (BMI) doesn't exceed 30 kg/m2.
* Patients who are referred from a gynecologist with a diagnosis of nonspecific low back pain.
* Patients who have pain for more than three months.
* Patients who have parity ranging from one to three (to control the extreme physiological changes from multiple childbirths, ensuring a more uniform sample).
* Patients who have score more than 4 on the Visual Analog Scale (VAS).

Exclusion Criteria:

* Mechanical low back pain (LBP).
* Women who had performed any spinal surgery e.g. unilateral hemilaminectomy or microdiscectomy.
* Women with history of vertebral fracture or trauma.
* Women with systemic disorder e.g. diabetes mellitus.
* Women who are pregnant.
* Women who had received physiotherapy treatment for their LBP one month before the start of this study.

Where this trial is running

Kafr ash Shaykh, Kafrelsheikh

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.
Conditions Pilates ExercisesNonspecificLow Back PainPostnatal Women
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 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.