Effects of Core Strengthening on Mechanical Low Back Pain in Overweight Adults.
试验速览
- 阶段
- 不适用
- 状态
- 已完成
- 发起方
- 入组人数
- 60
- 试验地点
- 1
- 主要终点
- Pain Intensity
研究概览
简要总结
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.
详细描述
Mechanical low back pain (MLBP) is a common musculoskeletal condition and one of the leading causes of disability worldwide. Overweight and obesity increase the mechanical load on the lumbar spine, alter spinal biomechanics, and contribute to reduced physical function and persistent pain. Excess body weight, decreased physical activity, and weakness of the trunk musculature may further compromise spinal stability, increasing the likelihood of chronic low back pain.
Core muscles, including the transversus abdominis, multifidus, erector spinae, diaphragm, pelvic floor muscles, rectus abdominis, and internal and external oblique muscles, play an essential role in maintaining spinal stability and functional movement. Strengthening these muscles may improve trunk stability, reduce mechanical stress on the lumbar spine, decrease pain, and enhance functional ability. Although several studies have investigated core stabilization exercises, evidence regarding their effectiveness in overweight adults with mechanical low back pain remains inconclusive.
This study was designed as a single-blinded randomized controlled trial to compare the effects of conventional physical therapy alone with conventional physical therapy combined with core strengthening exercises in overweight adults with chronic mechanical low back pain.
A total of 60 participants aged 25-45 years with chronic mechanical low back pain of more than three months' duration, BMI ≥25 kg/m², body fat percentage greater than 25%, and Numeric Pain Rating Scale scores below 7 were enrolled. Participants with non-mechanical low back pain, previous lumbar spine surgery, spinal fractures, spondylolisthesis, osteoporosis, neurological disorders, metabolic diseases, spinal trauma, or other serious spinal pathology were excluded.
Eligible participants were randomly allocated into two equal groups.
研究设计
- 研究类型
- Interventional
- 分配方式
- Randomized
- 干预模型
- Parallel
- 主要目的
- Treatment
- 盲法
- Single (Participant)
盲法说明
Participants were randomly assigned to one of two parallel groups. The experimental group received core strengthening exercises in addition to conventional physical therapy, while the control group received conventional physical therapy alone. Both groups were treated concurrently for six weeks, and outcomes were compared between groups at the end of the intervention.
入排标准
- 年龄范围
- 25 Years 至 45 Years（Adult）
- 性别
- All
- 接受健康志愿者
- 否
入选标准
- •Male and female participants. Age between 25 and 45 years. Diagnosed with chronic mechanical low back pain lasting more than 3 months. Body Mass Index (BMI) ≥ 25 kg/m² (overweight or obese). Body fat percentage > 25%. Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) score < 7 at baseline. Able and willing to provide written informed consent. Willing to participate in the complete 6-week intervention program.
排除标准
- •Non-mechanical low back pain. Acute low back pain. Previous lumbar spine surgery (e.g., laminectomy or discectomy). Spondylolisthesis. Osteoporosis or spinal fractures. Cauda equina syndrome. Current history of spinal trauma or surgery. Lumbar spine myelopathy. Diagnosed metabolic diseases. Neurological disorders affecting the spine or lower limbs. Any medical condition that would contraindicate participation in the exercise program.
结局指标
主要结局
Pain Intensity
时间窗: Baseline and after 6 weeks of intervention
Pain intensity will be assessed using the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), an 11-point scale ranging from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst imaginable pain). Lower scores indicate reduced pain intensity.
Functional Disability
时间窗: Baseline and after 6 weeks of intervention
Functional disability will be measured using the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). The ODI is a validated questionnaire that evaluates disability associated with low back pain. Lower scores indicate better functional status.
Body Fat Percentage
时间窗: Baseline and after 6 weeks of intervention
Body fat percentage will be measured using the Jackson-Pollock three-site skinfold method with skinfold calipers. Changes in body fat percentage will be compared before and after the intervention.
次要结局
未报告次要终点