Comparing Back Extensor and Core Stability Training in Kyphosis

February 23, 2026 updated by: Riphah International University

Comparison of Back Extensor Strengthening Versus Core Stability Exercise in Patients With Thoracic Kyphosis

To compare the effects of back extensor strengthening exercises versus core stability exercises on thoracic kyphosis in patients, assessing improvements in posture, spinal alignment, and overall functional outcomes

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Completed

Conditions

Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. On ClinicalTrials.gov, conditions may also include other health-related issues, such as lifespan, quality of life, and health risks.

Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.

Detailed Description

Kyphosis is the normal forward curvature of our spine and when this curvature becomes excessively increased is referred to as hyper kyphosis or Hunch back. Its normal value is between 20 and 40 degrees. When the thoracic kyphotic angle exceeds 40 degrees, it is referred to as hyper kyphosis. The three main types of kyphosis often seen in individuals are postural, Structural and congenital. Postural kyphosis is caused by high external load on individual spine having overall poor muscle strength. Sagittal misalignment can be caused by poor posture while sitting and standing as well as prolonged sitting.

Study Type

Study Type

Describes the nature of a clinical study. Study types include interventional studies (also called clinical trials), observational studies (including patient registries), and expanded access.
Interventional

Enrollment (Actual)

Enrollment

The number of participants in a clinical study. The "anticipated" enrollment is the target number of participants that the researchers need for the study.
40

Phase

Phase

The stage of a clinical trial studying a drug or biological product, based on definitions developed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The phase is based on the study's objective, the number of participants, and other characteristics. There are five phases: Early Phase 1 (formerly listed as Phase 0), Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, and Phase 4. Not Applicable is used to describe trials without FDA-defined phases, including trials of devices or behavioral interventions.
  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Contact

The name and contact information for the person who can answer enrollment questions for a clinical study. Each location where the study is being conducted may also have a specific contact, who may be better able to answer those questions.

Study Locations

  • Pakistan
    • KPK
      • Malakand, KPK, Pakistan, 18300
        • DHQ Timergara & Batkhela

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

The key requirements that people who want to participate in a clinical study must meet or the characteristics they must have. Eligibility criteria consist of both inclusion criteria (which are required for a person to participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (which prevent a person from participating). Types of eligibility criteria include whether a study accepts healthy volunteers, has age or age group requirements, or is limited by sex.

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Adults aged 18-40 years with a diagnosis of mild to moderate thoracic kyphosis (Cobb angle between 40° and 60°).
  • The presence of back pain or discomfort is attributed to kyphosis.
  • Willingness to participate and commit to the study's duration (6 weeks of intervention and follow-up).
  • Ability to provide informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Severe thoracic kyphosis (Cobb angle > 60°).
  • Other spinal conditions such as scoliosis or spinal fractures.
  • Previous spinal surgery or contraindications to physical activity.
  • Neurological disorders affecting motor function.
  • Pregnancy or severe medical comorbidities that would preclude participation.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: None (Open Label)

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Participant Group / Arm

A group or subgroup of participants in a clinical trial that receives a specific intervention/treatment, or no intervention, according to the trial's protocol.
Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.
Experimental: Back Extensor Strengthening Exercises

Usage of modalities like hot pack & TENS along with certain exercises mentioned in the following:

  1. Superman Exercise (Prone position, lift chest off ground, arms extended)
  2. Prone Arm and Leg Raise (Prone, lift opposite arm & leg)
  3. Seated Row (Resistance Band) (Pull band towards chest)
  4. Wall Angels (Standing against wall, moving arms up/down)
Other: Back Extensor Strengthening Exercises
  1. Superman Exercise Sets/Reps: 2 sets × 10-12 reps, hold 5-10 sec
  2. Prone Arm and Leg Raise Sets/Reps: 2 sets × 10-12 reps, hold 5-10 sec
  3. Seated Row (Resistance Band) Sets/Reps: 2 sets × 12-15 reps, hold 3-5 sec
  4. Wall Angels Sets/Reps: 2 sets × 10-12 reps, 3-5 sec per cycle
Other Names:
  • Hot Pack (15-20 mins) - Upper back & thoracic spine for relaxation
  • TENS (10 mins)- Applied to thoracic region for pain relief (Before & after exercises)
Experimental: Core Stability Exercises

Usage of modalities like hot pack & TENS along with certain exercises mentioned in the following:

  1. Side Plank (Side-lying, lift hips while maintaining straight posture)
  2. Dead Bug Exercise (Supine, extend opposite arm & leg)
  3. Bridging Exercise (Supine, lift hips to straight line)
  4. Bird-Dog Exercise (Quadruped, extend opposite arm & leg)
Other: Core Stability Exercises
  1. Side Plank Sets/Reps: 3 sets, hold 10-60 sec per side
  2. Dead Bug Exercise Sets/Reps: 3 sets × 6-15 reps per side
  3. Bridging Exercise Sets/Reps: 3 sets × 10-20 reps, hold 2-5 sec
  4. Bird-Dog Exercise Sets/Reps: 3 sets × 8-15 reps per side, hold 2-5 sec
Other Names:
  • Hot Pack (15-20 mins) - Upper back & thoracic spine for relaxation
  • TENS (10 mins)- Applied to thoracic region for pain relief (Before & after exercises)

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, the planned outcome measure that is the most important for evaluating the effect of an intervention/treatment. Most clinical studies have one primary outcome measure, but some have more than one.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Change in Pain Intensity Measured by Visual Analogue Scale (VAS)
Time Frame: 12 Weeks
A 10 cm horizontal line with "No Pain" (0) on the left and "Worst Pain" (10) on the right. Patients mark their pain level on the scale before and after interventions to assess changes. Test-Retest Reliability: The VAS shows high test-retest reliability, especially in literate populations (r = 0.94), indicating stable pain scores over time when used with the same individual. Validity effectively captures the full spectrum of pain intensity, making it a valid tool for assessing the pain experience of thoracic kyphosis patients.
12 Weeks
Change in Thoracic Spine Range of Motion (ROM) Measured by Inclinometer
Time Frame: 12 Weeks
The inclinometer has demonstrated good test-retest reliability, with high correlation (r = 0.90) in measuring range of motion (ROM) over time when used consistently on the same patient.The inclinometer accurately measures thoracic spine mobility and is considered a valid tool for assessing movement restriction or improvement in patients with thoracic kyphosis.
12 Weeks
Assessment of Postural Deformity Severity Using the Matthias Test
Time Frame: 12 Weeks
It is effective in identifying postural deformities and the severity of thoracic kyphosis. The Matthias Test has demonstrated good inter-rater reliability.
12 Weeks
Change in Disability Level Measured by Oswestry Disability Index (ODI)
Time Frame: 12 Weeks
The Oswestry Disability Index (also known as the Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Questionnaire) is an extremely important tool that researchers and disability evaluators use to measure a patient's permanent functional disability.
12 Weeks
Change in Functional Disability Measured by Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (RDQ)
Time Frame: 12 Weeks
The Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire is most sensitive for patients with mild to moderate disability due to acute, sub-acute, or chronic low back pain.
12 Weeks

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sponsor

The organization or person who initiates the study and who has authority and control over the study.
Riphah International University

Investigators

Investigators

A researcher involved in a clinical study. Related terms include site principal investigator, site sub-investigator, study chair, study director, and study principal investigator.
  • Principal Investigator: Ayesha Sadiq, MSPT (OMPT), Riphah International University

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

Study Start

The actual date on which the first participant was enrolled in a clinical study. The "anticipated" study start date is the date that the researchers think will be the study start date.
April 15, 2025

Primary Completion (Actual)

Primary Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure. Whether the clinical study ended according to the protocol or was terminated does not affect this date. For clinical studies with more than one primary outcome measure with different completion dates, this term refers to the date on which data collection is completed for all the primary outcome measures. The "anticipated" primary completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the primary completion date for the study.
August 11, 2025

Study Completion (Actual)

Study Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention/treatment to collect final data for the primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, and adverse events (that is, the last participant's last visit). The "anticipated" study completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the study completion date.
December 31, 2025

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

First Submitted

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the first submitted date and the record's availability on ClinicalTrials.gov (the first posted date).
February 20, 2025

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a study record one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
March 20, 2025

First Posted (Actual)

First Posted

The date on which the study record was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay of a few days between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the study record and the first posted date.
March 21, 2025

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

Last Update Posted

The most recent date on which changes to a study record were made available on ClinicalTrials.gov. There may be a delay between when the changes were submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov by the study's sponsor or investigator (the last update submitted date) and the last update posted date.
February 25, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record that are consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
February 23, 2026

Last Verified

Last Verified

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator confirmed the information about a clinical study on ClinicalTrials.gov as accurate and current. If a study with a recruitment status of recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting has not been confirmed within the past 2 years, the study's recruitment status is shown as unknown.
April 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

Other Study ID Numbers

Identifiers or ID numbers other than the NCT number that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. These numbers may include unique identifiers from other trial registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers.
  • REC-01003 Zahoor Ahmad

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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