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

Completed

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Actual)

54

Phase

  • 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

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
Intervention / Treatment
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

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

Riphah International University

Investigators

  • 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)

January 13, 2025

Primary Completion (Actual)

May 31, 2025

Study Completion (Actual)

October 31, 2025

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

February 23, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

February 23, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

February 27, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

February 27, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

February 23, 2026

Last Verified

February 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Other Study ID 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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