NCT06969508

Effect Of Paraspinal Muscle Thickness On The Benefit Of Core Stabilization

The Relationship Between Core Stabilization Exercises and Paraspinal Muscle Thickness in Chronic Low Back Pain

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 60 (actual)
• Sponsor: Medipol University · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 20 Years – 60 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

This study investigates whether the effects of core muscle strengthening exercises on chronic low back pain and deep back muscle (multifidus) thickness differ in patients with different baseline muscle thicknesses. Pain levels will be measured before and after a 6-month exercise program in patients with different baseline muscle thicknesses. The aim is to determine whether the exercises are more or less effective depending on the baseline condition of these muscles. Understanding this may help personalize exercise treatments for chronic low back pain based on individual muscle characteristics.

Detailed description

This prospective, randomized study will investigate if the initial thickness of deep back muscles (multifidus and erector spinae), measured via existing lumbar MRI scans, influences the effectiveness of a 6-month core stabilization exercise program for chronic low back pain. Participants aged 20-60 with chronic low back pain (over 3 months) and a recent lumbar MRI will be recruited from Çam Sakura City Hospital. Individuals with prior spinal surgery, previous physical therapy, neurological or cardiorespiratory issues, or osteoporosis will be excluded. At baseline, muscle thickness at the L4/L5 level will be measured. Participants will receive a home-based core stabilization exercise program. Pain and function will be assessed using VAS, Oswestry Disability Index, and SPI at baseline, 3, and 6 months. The study aims to determine if patients with different baseline muscle thicknesses show varying degrees of improvement in pain and function following the exercise program. Correlation and regression analyses will explore the relationship between initial muscle thickness and changes in outcome measures. The findings may help personalize exercise treatments for chronic low back pain based on individual muscle characteristics.

Conditions

• Back Pain Lower Back Chronic
• Lumbar Disc Degenerative Disease

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	core stabilitation exercises	The core stabilization exercise program aimed to strengthen deep spinal muscles: transversus abdominis (abdominal bracing), multifidus (segmental stability), and pelvic floor muscles (pelvic support). Participants received videotaped instructions for performing these exercises at home regularly for 6 months, with a gradual increase in difficulty.

Timeline

• Start date: 2024-06-01
• Primary completion: 2024-12-01
• Completion: 2025-04-15
• First posted: 2025-05-14
• Last updated: 2025-05-14

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Turkey (Türkiye)