The Forgotten Role of Back Muscle Characteristics to Tailor Exercise Therapy for Recurrent Non-specific Low Back Pain

Launched by HASSELT UNIVERSITY · May 5, 2023

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying how certain characteristics of back muscles can help doctors create better exercise programs for people suffering from non-specific low back pain, which is pain that doesn't come from a specific injury or condition. Researchers will compare patients with this type of back pain to healthy individuals of the same age and sex to understand different patterns in back muscle characteristics. Patients will also participate in a 16-week training program focused on improving balance and body awareness, which is essential for proper posture and movement.

To be eligible for the trial, participants should be between 18 and 60 years old and have experienced low back pain for at least three months. They should not have any leg pain, a history of serious back issues, or conditions that could affect balance and movement. Healthy volunteers are also welcome, as long as they haven't had any back pain in the recent past. Participants can expect to engage in a structured training program and help contribute to research aimed at improving treatment for low back pain in the future.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• Patients with non-specific low back pain:
• • Aged 18-60 years
• • Non-specific low back pain without radicular leg pain
• • Mechanical low back pain with episodes of \<4 on the numerical pain rating scale and episodes of \>6 on the numerical pain rating scale
• • Non-specific low back pain for three months or more
• • Score of 20% or more on the Modified Low Back Pain Disability Questionnaire
• • Informed consent to participate
• Healthy controls:
• • Aged 18-60 years
• • No history of low back pain needing medical treatment or resulting in a limited activity level
• • No low back pain in the previous six months
• • Informed consent to participate
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Pregnancy
• • Previous trauma or surgery to the spine, pelvis or lower limbs
• • Structural spinal deformity (e.g., scoliosis)
• • Neurological, neuromuscular, respiratory or systemic disease
• • Central sensitization: score of 50/100 or more on the Central Sensitization Inventory
• • Specific vestibular or balance problems
• • Acute lower limb or neck problems
• • Body mass index of 30 kg/m² or more