NCT06958744

Effects of Functional Inspiratory Muscle Training in Patients With Chronic Non-Specific Low Back Pain

Effects of Functional Inspiratory Muscle Training on Diaphragm Function and Core Stabilization in Patients With Chronic Non-Specific Low Back Pain

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 40 (actual)
• Sponsor: Uskudar University · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years – 55 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of functional respiratory muscle training on diaphragm function, core stabilization, respiratory muscle strength, pain, functional status and quality of life in patients with chronic non-specific low back pain.

Detailed description

Patients with chronic non-specific low back pain (CNSBP) have imbalances in postural control and kinetic chain. Postural control and respiratory function are mechanically and neuromuscularly interdependent. The diaphragm is the primary muscle in active inspiration with a vital role in contributing to spinal stability by modulating intra-abdominal pressure. The attachment of the diaphragm to the lumbar spine creates a synergistic working pattern with the transversus abdominis muscle. Altered activation patterns of the diaphragm and transversus abdominis have been observed in patients with chronic low back pain. Therefore, diaphragm function and respiratory pattern play a critical role in achieving and maintaining core stabilization. Studies have supported that different respiratory exercise programs are effective in reducing pain intensity, improving respiratory function and quality of life in CNSBP. These studies suggest a possible link between respiratory function, respiratory pattern, core stability and low back pain. Inspiratory muscle training (IMT) is a technique used to increase the strength or endurance of the diaphragm and auxiliary respiratory muscles with a pressure threshold device. IMT consists of exercises involving breathing against resistance to improve respiratory muscle strength and aerobic capacity in healthy and sick populations. Respiratory muscles are also trunk muscles and their performance cannot be sufficiently optimized when respiratory muscle training is performed in isolation. Furthermore, if the load on the diaphragm, which has inspiratory, postural control and trunk stabilization tasks, increases, the muscle prefers breathing over these tasks. Functional training of the respiratory muscles is therefore recommended for optimal performance of the respiratory muscles. Functional inspiratory muscle training (FIMT) is defined as inspiratory respiratory muscle training during exercises in specific body positions. FIMT stimulates both the respiratory system and the core stabilization muscles as it consists of trunk and lumbopelvic exercises with stabilization of the spinal region during inspiratory load. Compared to traditional inspiratory muscle training, FIMT has a greater effect because it improves two roles of respiratory muscles (ventilation and spinal stabilization). This study will investigate the effects of functional inspiratory muscle training (FIMT) on diaphragm thickness and mobility, respiratory muscle strength, core stabilization, pain, quality of life and functional status in patients with CNSLBP.

Conditions

• Low Back Pain

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	Functional Inspiratory Muscle Training (FIMT) group	Training will be given with the Powerbreath inspiratory muscle training device. Unlike traditional inspiratory muscle training, the exercises given in FIMT aim to integrate the functional capacity of respiratory muscles into daily life activities and include dynamic exercises in different positions with variable resistances. In this respect, it is defined as functional. Preparatory training will be given 4 weeks before starting FIMT: participants will be taught basic respiratory muscle training, respiratory control and exercises, and will be taught to perform the exercises while maintaining the spine in a neutral position. Patients will then be taken to FIMT for 3 days/6 weeks with a physiotherapist. On the other 3 days of the week, only inspiratory muscle training will be performed. The intensity of inspiratory muscle training will be increased from mild to moderate (Mild: Effort level between 20-40% of MIP or between Borg 2-3, Moderate: 50-60% of MIP or Borg 4-6).
OTHER	Control group	Thoracic expansion exercise will be performed for 10 weeks. The participant will be asked to practice 4 times a day as a home program.

Timeline

• Start date: 2025-04-30
• Primary completion: 2025-09-17
• Completion: 2025-09-17
• First posted: 2025-05-06
• Last updated: 2025-12-26

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Turkey (Türkiye)