Post-facilitation stretch vs. dry needling for hamstring tightness in chronic low back pain

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This randomized trial compares two physical therapy approaches—post-facilitation stretch and dry needling—added to conventional care in adults with chronic nonspecific low back pain and hamstring tightness. Thirty-six participants, aged 20–50, will be assigned to one of the two interventions for three weeks (three sessions per week) at the Spine Care Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Centre in Peshawar. Outcomes include hamstring flexibility, pain, lumbar range of motion, pelvic tilt, and functional status, measured with standardized tests such as the Active Knee Extension Test. The study uses purposive sampling with sealed envelope randomization to allocate participants. All participants must meet eligibility criteria and have no contraindications to dry needling or other exclusions noted by the protocol.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* Diagnosed with chronic non-specific low back pain of more than 12 weeks' duration.
* Positive Straight Leg Raise (SLR) test or Active Knee Extension Test showing hamstring tightness (\<80° hip flexion with knee extended).

Exclusion Criteria:

* History of spinal surgery, fracture, or neurological deficit.
* Radiculopathy or red flag signs (tumor, infection, inflammatory disorders).
* Recent steroid injection therapy for low back pain (within 3 months).
* Contraindications to dry needling (bleeding disorders, infection at site, needle phobia).
* Pregnancy.
* Severe needle phobia (for DN group).

Where it's running

• Spine Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Center
  Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Muhmmad Affan Iqbal, PhD* — Riphah International University, Islamabad
• Study coordinator: Imran Amjad PT, PhD
• Email: imran.amjad@riphah.edu.pk
• Phone: 03324390125

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

• A novel multi angular isometric lumbar exercise for chronic low back pain

  This trial tests MAILE, a new lumbar exercise method, to see if it helps adults with nonspecific chronic low back pain more than standard lumbar stabilization and core exercises.

  Recruiting Hamad Medical Corporation · Doha · NCT07908693

• Pain catastrophizing, fear of movement, and activity in postmenopausal women with chronic low back pain

  This observational study looks at how negative pain thoughts and fear of moving relate to how active postmenopausal women with long‑standing low back pain are.

  Recruiting Istanbul Medipol University Hospital · Istanbul, Istanbul · NCT07856498

• Analgesia boost from adding a sacral submultifidus block to SIJ injection

  This study tests whether adding a sacral submultifidus block to a standard image-guided sacroiliac joint injection provides better pain relief and function for adults with chronic SIJ‑related pain.

  Recruiting Fayoum University Hospital · Al Fayyum · NCT07814729

• Telerehabilitation after spine surgery

  This trial tests different ways of delivering post-operative instructions to people who had spinal decompression surgery to see how it affects recovery and healthcare use.

  Recruiting Kuopio University Hospital · Kuopio · NCT07795697

• How patient education helps people with chronic musculoskeletal pain stick to home exercise for pain relief

  A structured patient education program is tested to see if it helps people with chronic low back pain, knee osteoarthritis, and shoulder problems stick with their home exercise plan to relieve pain.

  Recruiting Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University · Dammam, Eastern Province · NCT07764354

• Core endurance vs segmental stabilization for low back pain in recreational athletes

  This trial tests whether core endurance exercises or segmental stabilization exercises better help recreational athletes with non-specific low back pain.

  Recruiting Uskudar University · Istanbul · NCT07760103

How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.