Effect of a Supervised Exercise Program in Patients With Chronic Low Back Pain

Concordia University, Montreal

Status: Completed

Conditions: Muscle Atrophy; Exercise Therapy; Diagnostic Imaging; Low Back Pain

Treatments: Other: Targeted exercise program; Other: General exercise program

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT04257253

CCER19-20-09

Details and patient eligibility

About

This study evaluates the effect of a supervised exercise program on paraspinal muscle morphology and function, as well as disability/function in patients with non-specific chronic low back pain. Half of the participants will do a targeted paraspinal muscle exercise program, while the other half will do a general exercise program.

Enrollment: 50 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 65 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

1. chronic nonspecific LBP (>3 months), defined as pain in the region between the lower ribs and gluteal folds, with or without leg pain
2. currently seeking care for LBP
3. between 18 and 60 years of age
4. English or French speaker
5. score of "moderate" or "severe" disability on the ODI questionnaire
6. do not currently engage in sports or fitness training specifically for the lower back muscles (3 months prior the beginning of the study).

Exclusion criteria

1. evidence of nerve root compression or reflex motor signs deficits (e.g. weakness, reflex changes, or sensory loss with same spinal nerve)
2. previous spinal surgery or vertebral fractures
3. other major lumbar spine structural abnormalities (e.g. spondylolysis, spondylolisthesis, or lumbar scoliosis >10°)

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Double Blind

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50 participants in 2 patient groups

Targeted exercise program

Experimental group

Description:

Targeted motor control and isolated lumbar extensor strengthening exercises. Supervised 12-week program, 2 times a week.

Treatment:

Other: Targeted exercise program

General exercise program

Active Comparator group

Description:

General exercise program including upper body and lower body strengthening and flexibility exercises. Supervised 12-week program, 2 times a week.

Treatment:

Other: General exercise program