Clinical Research Directory
Browse clinical research sites, groups, and studies.
Core Strengthening Effects in Low Back Pain in Overweight Adults
Sponsor: Ibadat International University, Islamabad
Summary
Mechanical low back pain is one of the most common musculoskeletal disorders among overweight adults and can lead to pain, disability, and reduced quality of life. Weakness of the core muscles may contribute to poor spinal stability and persistence of symptoms. Core strengthening exercises have been proposed as an effective treatment; however, evidence regarding their additional benefit over conventional physical therapy remains limited. This randomized controlled trial aimed to determine the effects of adding core strengthening exercises to conventional physical therapy in overweight adults with mechanical low back pain. Sixty participants aged 25-45 years with a body mass index (BMI) of 25 kg/m² or greater and chronic mechanical low back pain lasting more than three months were randomly assigned to either an experimental group or a control group. The experimental group received core strengthening exercises (planks, side planks, and superman exercises) in addition to conventional physical therapy, while the control group received conventional physical therapy alone. Both groups also received therapeutic hot packs and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS). Participants attended three treatment sessions per week for six weeks. Primary outcomes included pain intensity measured by the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), functional disability measured by the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and body fat percentage measured using the Jackson-Pollock skinfold method. Outcomes were assessed before and after the six-week intervention. The study evaluated whether adding core strengthening exercises to conventional physical therapy provides greater improvements in pain, disability, and body fat percentage in overweight adults with mechanical low back pain.
Official title: Effects of Core Strengthening on Mechanical Low Back Pain in Overweight Adults.
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
25 Years - 45 Years
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
60
Start Date
2023-01-15
Completion Date
2023-06-30
Last Updated
2026-07-27
Healthy Volunteers
No
Interventions
Core Strengthening Exercise Program + Conventional Physical Therapy
Participants received a supervised exercise program consisting of core strengthening exercises (plank, side plank, and superman exercises) in addition to conventional physical therapy exercises (bridging, knee-to-chest, back extension, and pelvic rotation). Each exercise was performed for 10 repetitions with a 10-second hold. Participants also received a therapeutic hot pack and continuous transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) for 10 minutes before exercise. Treatment was provided three sessions per week for six weeks (18 sessions).
Conventional Physical Therapy
Participants received conventional physical therapy consisting of bridging, knee-to-chest, back extension, and pelvic rotation exercises. Each exercise was performed for 10 repetitions with a 10-second hold. Participants also received a therapeutic hot pack and continuous transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) for 10 minutes before exercise. Treatment was provided three sessions per week for six weeks (18 sessions).
Locations (1)
Elite Physical Therapy Centre
Rawalpindi, Punjab Province, Pakistan