Combined Effects of Mckenzie and Motor Control Exercises in Chronic Non-specific Low Back Pain

February 23, 2026 updated by: Riphah International University

Combined Effects of Mckenzie and Motor Control Exercises on Pain, Range of Motion, Muscle Endurance and Disability in Chronic Non-specific Low Back Pain

This study was conducted to compare the results of McKenzie extension exercises and motor control exercises, with a combined exercise program on pain intensity, core muscle endurance and range of motion and quality of life in those suffering from persistent, non-specific low back pain.

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.

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.
54

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 Locations

  • Pakistan
    • Punjab Province
      • Lahore, Punjab Province, Pakistan
        • Surgimed Hospital, Lahore

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
  • Older Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Both male and female
  • Age between 45-70
  • History of LBP of 3 months or greater with pain intensity greater than 6 on NPRS scale
  • Sorensen test positive

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Vertebral fractures
  • Previous Spinal surgery and Infections should be excluded.
  • Osteoporosis, Ankylosing Spondylosis, Inflammatory and Rheumatological diseases.
  • Pregnancy, malignancy, Trauma, Disc Herniation

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: Double

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.
Active Comparator: Mckenzie Extension Exercise
Participants in this arm received a McKenzie-based extension exercise program focusing on repeated lumbar extension movements. The exercises were performed under the supervision of a physical therapist according to standardized McKenzie principles. The program was designed to reduce pain, improve lumbar range of motion, and decrease functional disability in individuals with chronic non-specific low back pain.
Behavioral: McKenzie Extension Exercises
Participants received a McKenzie-based extension exercise program consisting of repeated lumbar extension movements performed in lying and standing positions. The exercises were prescribed and supervised by a physical therapist according to standardized McKenzie principles. The intervention focused on symptom centralization, pain reduction, and improvement in lumbar range of motion and functional ability in individuals with chronic non-specific low back pain.
Other Names:
  • McKenzie Method
Active Comparator: Motor Control Exercise Program
Participants in this arm received a motor control exercise program designed to improve activation, coordination, and endurance of deep trunk muscles, including the transversus abdominis and multifidus. The exercises were supervised by a physical therapist and were progressed according to patient tolerance. The intervention aimed to improve spinal stability, reduce pain, and enhance functional ability.
Behavioral: Motor Control Exercises
Participants received a motor control exercise program aimed at improving activation, coordination, and endurance of deep trunk muscles, including the transversus abdominis and multifidus. Exercises were supervised by a physical therapist and progressed according to patient tolerance. The intervention focused on enhancing spinal stability, reducing pain, and improving functional performance.
Other Names:
  • Lumbar Stabilization Exercises
Active Comparator: Combined McKenzie and Motor Control Exercise Program
Participants in this arm received a combined intervention consisting of McKenzie extension exercises and motor control exercises. The program integrated repeated lumbar extension movements with trunk stabilization and motor control training. The intervention was supervised by a physical therapist and aimed to improve pain intensity, lumbar range of motion, muscle endurance, and functional disability.
Behavioral: Combined McKenzie and Motor Control Exercises
Participants received a combined exercise program consisting of McKenzie extension exercises and motor control exercises. The intervention integrated repeated lumbar extension movements with trunk stabilization and motor control training. All exercises were supervised by a physical therapist and aimed to improve pain intensity, lumbar range of motion, muscle endurance, and functional disability.
Other Names:
  • Combined Exercise Program

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
Pain Intensity (Numeric Pain Rating Scale)
Time Frame: From enrollment till the end of treatment at 6 weeks
Pain intensity was assessed using the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), an 11-point scale ranging from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst imaginable pain). Participants reported their average pain intensity, with higher scores indicating greater pain severity.
From enrollment till the end of treatment at 6 weeks
Trunk Muscle Endurance (Biering-Sorensen Test)
Time Frame: From enrollment till the end of treatment at 6 weeks
Trunk extensor muscle endurance was measured using the Biering-Sorensen test. Participants maintained the horizontal prone position with the upper body unsupported for as long as possible, and the duration was recorded in seconds as a measure of trunk muscle endurance.
From enrollment till the end of treatment at 6 weeks
Lumbar Range of Motion
Time Frame: From enrollment till the end of treatment at 6 weeks
Lumbar range of motion was assessed using a goniometer to measure flexion and extension movements of the lumbar spine. Measurements were recorded in degrees, with higher values indicating greater spinal mobility.
From enrollment till the end of treatment at 6 weeks
Functional Disability (Oswestry Disability Index)
Time Frame: From enrollment till the end of treatment at 6 weeks
Functional disability was evaluated using the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), a validated self-reported questionnaire assessing disability related to low back pain. Scores were calculated as percentages, with higher scores indicating greater disability.
From enrollment till the end of treatment at 6 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: Humera Mubashar, MsOMPT, Riphah International University

Publications and helpful links

The person responsible for entering information about the study voluntarily provides these publications. These may be about anything related to the study.

General Publications

  • Elabd OM, Oakley PA, Elabd AM. Prediction of back disability using clinical, functional, and biomechanical variables in adults with chronic nonspecific low back pain. Journal of Clinical Medicine. 2024 Jul 8;13(13):3980.
  • Anggiat L, Hon WH, Sokran SN, Mohammad NM. The changes of functional disability in non-specific low back pain among university population after proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation and mckenzie method. International Journal of Medical and Exercise Science. 2020;6(1):656-67.
  • Leivas EG, Correa LA, Nogueira LA. The relationship between low back pain and the basic lumbar posture at work: a retrospective cross-sectional study. International archives of occupational and environmental health. 2022 Jan;95(1):25-33.
  • Vinodhini R, Purushothaman VK, Subramaniam A, Vasanthi RK. Effectiveness of global posture re-education and McKenzie technique in non-specific low back pain. INTI journal. 2022 Sep 30;2022.
  • Elmahdy HH, Zaky NA, Elalfy AT, Aly MG. Mckenzie versus William's exercise for non-specific low back pain in adolescents: a comparative study. The Egyptian Journal of Hospital Medicine. 2022 Oct 1;89(1):4747-53.
  • Singh S, Ranjan R, Sandhya K. Effects of McKenzie Exercise and other Treatment Techniques in Reducing Pain & Disability in Chronic Nonspecific Low Back Pain. Indian Journal of Physiotherapy & Occupational Therapy. 2024 Jul 1;18(3).
  • Li Y, Zhao Q, Zhang X, E Y, Su Y. The impact of core training combined with breathing exercises on individuals with chronic non-specific low back pain. Frontiers in Public Health. 2025 Feb 21;13:1518612.

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.
January 13, 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.
May 31, 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.
October 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 23, 2026

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.
February 23, 2026

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.
February 27, 2026

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 27, 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.
February 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

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/RCR & AHS/24/01112

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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