Effects of Global Postural Reeducation on Psychophysical Wellbeing in Housewives With Chronic Non-specific LBP.

Riphah International University

Status: Not yet enrolling

Conditions: Sleep Quality; Stress; Low Back Pain

Treatments: Other: conventional therapy; Other: global postural reeducation with conventional therapy

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT07203950

REC/F24C08G30004 Roha Farooqi

Details and patient eligibility

About

This study aims to explore the multidimensional impact of Global postural reeducation in a population that is not only physically overburdened but also psychologically strained due to the demands of domestic life. Unlike conventional therapies that often focus solely on pain relief, GPR offers a comprehensive intervention model that may simultaneously enhance physical function, reduce psychological stress, and improve sleep quality. By targeting housewives with chronic non-specific LBP, this study seeks to fill a critical gap in the literature and provide evidence for a more inclusive, preventive, and non-pharmacological approach to musculoskeletal and mental health management

Full description

Low back Pain (LBP) is a primary cause of disability among people of all ages and a major contributor to the global burden of diseases. Non-specific low back pain is a form of low back pain without any specific identified underlying disease or any anatomical abnormality. Global postural reeducation (GPR) is a physical therapy protocol that focuses on eccentrically stretching the muscular chains which are shortened due to behavioral, psychological and constitutional factors. For this method physical therapists guide the patients a series of gentle active movements and maintain postures aiming to stretch the shortened muscles, realign the joints and also enhance the contraction of antagonist muscles. It is a randomized control trial which will be conducted on 30 patients calculated using G*power software. Patients fulfilling the inclusion criteria will be randomized into 2 groups i.e. GROUP A (global postural reeducation with conventional therapy) & GROUP B (conventional therapy). Patients in Group A will receive global postural reeducation technique with conventional therapy and Group B will receive conventional therapy alone which includes hot pack for 15 minutes, Static stretching for iliopsoas and rectus femoris and other exercises two times a week.

Outcomes will be measured at baseline and at the end of 3rd week, at the end of 6th week.

Enrollment: 30 estimated patients

Sex: Female

Ages: 25 to 40 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

Participants' full filling the criteria given below will be recruited in this study. Diagnosis based on clinical guidelines linked to the International Classification of Function, Disability and Health of the Orthopedic Section of the American Physiotherapy Association.

1. Housewives (Age 25-40 years)
2. Chronic nonspecific LBP (more than 3 months)
3. Experience mild to moderate stress (measured by perceived stress scale)
4. Sleep disturbances or poor sleep quality (PSQI score>5)

Exclusion criteria

Participant falling in this category would be excluded of the study.

1. Pregnancy.
2. Using NSAIDs.
3. Acute, subacute LBP.
4. Females having diagnosed irregular/prolonged menstrual cycles.
5. History of recent Spinal surgery (within the past year).
6. Neurological deficits (foot drop, motor weakness).
7. Diagnosed severe psychiatric issues (e.g. severe depression, bipolar disorder, psychosis).
8. Use of sleep medications, antidepressants, or anxiolytics during the study period.
9. Specific causes of LBP (herniated disc, lumbar stenosis, spinal deformity, fracture, spondolysthesis).
10. Systemic diseases (tumor, Rhematoid arthritis)

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Double Blind

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30 participants in 2 patient groups

Global Postural Reeducation

Experimental group

Description:

Participants assigned to this arm will undergo Global Postural Reeducation (GPR) using standardized coxofemoral positions ( Opening and Closing). In the Opening position, the participant lies supine with the hip placed in gentle flexion, abduction, and external rotation to lengthen the medial/anterior muscle chain; in the Closing position, the hip is positioned in slight extension, adduction, and internal rotation to target the lateral/posterior chain. Each session lasts approximately 10 minutes, divided into 2-3 blocks of 3-5 minutes each, during which participants perform slow diaphragmatic breathing combined with gentle isometric contractions (2-3 seconds) on exhalation followed by relaxation into the posture. Sessions are delivered twice weekly for 6 weeks. Therapist monitoring ensures proper pelvic stabilization, safe range of motion, and avoidance of compensatory movements, while participants are encouraged to maintain comfortable stretch intensity without pain.

Treatment:

Other: global postural reeducation with conventional therapy

Conventional Therapy

Active Comparator group

Description:

* Hot pack for 15 minutes. * Static stretching of rectus femoris and iliopsoas muscles (1 minute x 5 repetitions per session). * Other exercises Pelvic tilt Straight leg raise Bridging Cat-camel exercise Knee-to-chest stretch Prescribed as 3 sets of 10 repetitions each, with rest in between.

Treatment:

Other: conventional therapy