Effect of the Diaphragm Stretching Technique on Nonspecific Low Back Pain

Escola Superior de Tecnologia da Saúde do Porto

Status: Not yet enrolling

Conditions: Nonspecific Low Back Pain

Treatments: Other: Diaphragm Stretching; Other: Placebo Technique

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT06375018

OST1_011

Details and patient eligibility

About

This study aims to analyze the efficacy of diaphragm stretching technique on symptomatology in young adults with nonspecific low back pain.

Full description

Nonspecific low back pain occurs when there is an imbalance in the lower back between functional load and the ability to perform daily tasks. It is characterized as such when there is no specific and well-determined diagnosis and there are no structural changes.

The diaphragm and abdominal muscles together create a hydraulic effect in the abdominal cavity, which helps stabilize the spine, providing rigidity to the lumbar spine by increasing intra-abdominal pressure. Diaphragmatic changes in patients diagnosed with low back pain may contribute to the lack of spinal control activity through several mechanisms. Thus, it is concluded that the diaphragm is anatomically related to the lumbar spine, through its muscle fibers.

There are articles that relate the topic of low back pain with Osteopathic Manual Treatment, demonstrating that, despite this lack of scientific evidence, the results obtained at a clinical level are favorable.

This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of diaphragm stretching techniques on symptoms experienced by young adults with non-specific low back pain.

In this study, the investigators will analyze the effects of the diaphragm stretching technique on the following variables: the sniff nasal inspiratory pressure test (SNIP test) , Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score, the Schober test and measurement of the distance between the fingers and the ground during anterior flexion of the trunk, without flexion of the lower limbs (also known as the Finger Tip Test).

Enrollment: 45 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 30 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Nonspecific low back pain;
• Age between 18 and 30.

Exclusion criteria

• Serious cardiovascular and cardiorespiratory causes;
• Spinal pathologies and injuries to the lumbar spine;
• Cancer patients;
• Pacemaker or implant carriers;
• Pregnant women or volunteers suspected of being pregnant.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Double Blind

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45 participants in 2 patient groups, including a placebo group

Control group

Placebo Comparator group

Description:

After data collection, each volunteer will undergo a simulated technique within this group. The investigator will mimic the contacts of the phrenic nerve inhibition technique without applying traction or compression to the tissue, merely maintaining the contacts for the same duration as described in the technique performed in the experimental group, along with the same rest period afterward. Subsequently, new data will be collected following the simulated intervention.

Treatment:

Other: Placebo Technique

Experimental group

Experimental group

Description:

After collecting data from each volunteer, a Diaphragm Stretching technique will be administered to individuals in this group. The technique will be executed for a maximum duration of 4 minutes. Following the technique, volunteers will be required to rest for 5 minutes. Subsequently, another round of data collection will be conducted.

Treatment:

Other: Diaphragm Stretching