Post‑isometric relaxation versus post‑facilitation stretch for chronic low back pain
Effects of Post Isometric Relaxation Versus Post Facilitation Stretch Techniques on Pain, Mobility and Disability in Patients With Chronic Low Back Pain
This project will try two manual muscle‑stretching techniques—post‑isometric relaxation and post‑facilitation stretch—along with standard physical therapy in adults 18–45 with chronic low back pain to see which reduces pain and disability more.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 42 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 45 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Riphah International University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Lahore, Punjab Province) |
| Trial ID | NCT07026045 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This randomized controlled study will enroll 42 adults aged 18–45 with chronic low back pain at two Lahore clinics using convenient sampling and informed consent. Participants are randomized to receive either post‑isometric relaxation or post‑facilitation stretch in addition to standard physical therapy, with interventions delivered over four weeks. Primary outcomes are pain (Numeric Pain Rating Scale), lumbar mobility (inclinometer), and disability (Urdu Oswestry Disability Index) measured at baseline and after 4 weeks. Key exclusions include neurological signs, systemic musculoskeletal disease, recent abdominal or back surgery, pregnancy, and radiculopathy.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults 18–45 with chronic low back pain (>3 months), NPRS pain >3 to ≤7 and ODI 14–50%, without neurological findings or recent surgery, are the intended participants.
Not a fit: Patients with radiculopathy or other neurological symptoms, systemic soft tissue or bony disease, recent abdominal or back surgery, pregnancy, or outside the specified pain/disability ranges would likely not benefit or be eligible.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, adding one of these simple manual techniques to standard physical therapy could reduce pain and disability in adults with chronic low back pain.
How similar studies have performed: Previous small trials of manual techniques like post‑isometric relaxation and facilitation stretching have reported mixed but sometimes positive effects for low back pain, so this comparison builds on limited prior evidence.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Age of patient between 18 to 45 year * Both gender * (LBP) for more than 3 months * Diagnosis of Chronic Low Back Pain (CLBP) * Negative SLR, negative faber test, negative lumber quadrant * Lumber extension test positive, positive scobber test * Having low back pain below the costal margin and above inferior gluteal folds and suffering from low back pain * Disability level of more than 14% and less than 50% according to Oswestry questionnaire * NPRS score of \>3 to ≤7 Exclusion Criteria: * Chronic systemic soft tissue and bony disease * Any neurological symptoms involving Prolapsed Intervertebral Disc, Radiculopathy Back pain with trauma * History of recent abdominal, back surgeries and pregnancy
Where this trial is running
Lahore, Punjab Province
- Riphah Rehabilitation Clinic — Lahore, Punjab Province, Pakistan (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Syed Shakil ur Rehman, PhD — Riphah International University
- Study coordinator: Syed Shakil ur Rehman, PhD
- Email: shakil.urrehman@riphah.edu.pk
- Phone: +92 320 786661
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.