AzTrials
AzTrials

Chronic Non-specific Low Back PainNCT06856642

Comparison of Abdominal Draw-in Maneuver With Real-time Ultrasound Imaging Biofeedback vs Conservative Physical Therapy in Patients With Chronic Low Back Pain

A study testing Conservative Physical Therapy, Abdominal Draw-in Manuever and Real-Time Ultrasound Biofeedback with Abdominal Draw-In Manuever in people with Chronic Non-specific Low Back Pain, run by Abant Izzet Baysal University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).

Recruiting

Looking for participants now. Contact the study team or a site below to ask about taking part.

Sites and contacts
Official record
Search all trials

Trial summary

The aim of this study is to compare the effectiveness of abdominal drawing-in maneuver with real-time ultrasound biofeedback to conservative treatment in patients with chronic nonspecific low back pain. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 to 65 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
Conditions the study is for
Chronic Non-specific Low Back Pain
What is being tested?
Conservative Physical Therapy, Abdominal Draw-in Manuever and Real-Time Ultrasound Biofeedback with Abdominal Draw-In Manuever
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
30 participants
Where
1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
Study dates
1 Mar 2025to 28 Feb 2026
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
Not yet: the study is under way

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 18 to 65 years
  • All sexes
  • Healthy volunteers accepted
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • The duration of low back pain is at least 3 months.
  • Low back pain with or without radiation to the lower extremities.
  • Age between 18-65 years.
  • Chronic nonspecific low back pain patients.

Who cannot join

  • Neuropathic pain complaints.
  • Pregnancy status.
  • History of infection, cancer, or trauma.
  • Neurological abnormalities.
  • History of lumbar spine surgery.
  • History of conservative physical therapy and/or injections in the lumbar region within the last 6 months.
Show all 9Show fewer
  • Neurological diseases such as Parkinson's or Multiple Sclerosis.
  • Systemic diseases that prevent exercise.
  • Patients with a Mini-Mental Test score below 24.

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.

Turkey (Türkiye)1 site, 1 recruiting
  • Abant Izzet Baysal University

    Bolu, 14100

    Serdar KILINÇ, +90 5055913181, drserdarkilinc@hotmail.com

    Recruiting

Other trials in Turkey (Türkiye)

About this study

Official title: Comparison of Abdominal Draw-in Maneuver With Real-time Ultrasound Imaging Biofeedback vs Conservative Physical Therapy in Patients With Chronic Low Back Pain: A Prospective, Randomized Clinical Trial

The aim of this study is to compare the effectiveness of abdominal drawing-in maneuver with real-time ultrasound biofeedback to conservative treatment in patients with chronic nonspecific low back pain.

Read the detailed description

Low back pain is a common clinical condition among musculoskeletal disorders. It can be classified into two main categories: acute and chronic. Acute low back pain is usually limited to a duration of 6 weeks or less, whereas chronic low back pain refers to pain lasting 12 weeks or longer. Chronic low back pain is characterized by persistent and untreated pain, which can significantly affect individuals' physical and psychological health. A multidisciplinary approach is required for its treatment. Physical therapy, pharmacological approaches, psychotherapy, and exercise are the main treatment methods.

Exercise plays an active role in both the prevention and treatment of the disease. Among many exercise methods, the abdominal drawing-in maneuver has been proven effective in the literature. Biofeedback is a technique that helps individuals consciously control their physiological processes. Real-time ultrasound biofeedback stands out as a technique that directly visualizes musculoskeletal system functions. This method uses high-frequency sound waves to assess the dynamic movements of internal organs and muscle structures. Through this technology, individuals can visualize their movements in real time and consciously adjust their muscle activity or posture. It offers significant advantages, particularly in clinical and sports applications such as pelvic floor rehabilitation, postural balance training, and motor control skill development.

The aim of our study is to compare the effectiveness of exercises performed with real-time ultrasound biofeedback with those in patients receiving conservative treatment. Patients will be randomly assigned to two groups: Group 1: Patients receiving conservative treatment and performing the abdominal drawing-in maneuver with real-time ultrasound imaging biofeedback. Group 2 (Control Group): Patients receiving conservative treatment and performing the abdominal drawing-in maneuver with only verbal instruction. A total of 40 patients are planned to be included in the study.

Being tested
Conservative Physical Therapy, Abdominal Draw-in Manuever, Real-Time Ultrasound Biofeedback with Abdominal Draw-In Manuever
Keywords
chronic non-specific low back pain, low back pain, ultrasound imaging, real-time ultrasound biofeedback, biofeedback, abdominal draw-in manuever
Medical subject headings
Low Back Pain

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Conservative Physical TherapyOther

    Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS):It is an electrotherapy modality commonly used in pain management. Conventional TENS will be applied to our patients. The frequency of Conventional TENS will be 50 Hz, the pulse duration will be 80 µs, the amplitude will be of mild to moderate intensity as perceived by the patient, and the duration will be 20 minutes.

    Hot Pack:It is a superficial heat therapy method commonly used to reduce muscle spasms, increase circulation, and alleviate pain.The packs, which are kept in hydrocollator tanks, will be applied at a temperature that will not harm the patient.The application time is 20 minutes.

    Therapeutic Ultrasound:This method, which uses sound waves to support tissue healing, creates heating and healing effects in deep tissues and is commonly used to reduce pain and relieve muscle spasmsThe frequency of the applied ultrasound will be 1 MHz, with an intensity of 1.5 W/cm², and it will be applied for 8 minutes in continuous mode

  • Abdominal Draw-in ManueverOther

    Starting Position: The patient lies in a supine position with knees bent and feet flat on the ground. The neck and spine are kept in a neutral position. Breath Control: The patient focuses on abdominal expansion while inhaling and flattening the abdomen while exhaling. Transversus Abdominis Activation: The patient attempts to draw the abdominal muscles inward (pulling the navel toward the spine). During this movement, care should be taken to avoid pressing the lower back against the ground or contracting the hip muscles. The goal is to activate only the deep abdominal muscles. Checking for Proper Muscle Activation: The patient can place their fingertips on the lower abdominal region (just above the pelvic bone) to feel whether the transversus abdominis muscle is activating correctly. Maintaining the Position: The patient holds this activation for 5-10 seconds while continuing to breathe naturally, then relaxes. Muscles should be fully relaxed between repetitions.

  • Real-Time Ultrasound Biofeedback with Abdominal Draw-In ManueverOther

    The patient, who has been instructed on the abdominal drawing-in exercise, assumes a supine position with knees bent. The ultrasound screen is positioned so that both the practitioner and the patient can see it. The researcher places the linear ultrasound probe on the patient's transversus abdominis muscle to obtain an image, which is then shown to the patient for awareness. The patient is instructed to keep their eyes on the screen and follow their muscle activity throughout the exercise. During the exercise, the patient's muscle is displayed on the screen, and they are asked to hold the contraction at its maximum level for 10 seconds. After the contraction phase, the patient is instructed to relax and rest for 2 minutes. The treatment is completed with a total of 10 repetitions.

Study groups in NCT06856642
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Real-Time Ultrasound Biofeedback with Abdominal Draw-In ManueverActive comparatorNot described
Receives: Other: Conservative Physical Therapy; Other: Real-Time Ultrasound Biofeedback with Abdominal Draw-In Manuever
Conservative treatment group without biofeedbackActive comparatorNot described
Receives: Other: Conservative Physical Therapy; Other: Abdominal Draw-in Manuever

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Visual Analogue Scale

    Pain was evaluated using a 10 cm long Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) during rest and activity (0 = no pain, 10 = very severe pain).

    Measured: before treatment

  2. Visual Analogue Scale

    Pain was evaluated using a 10 cm long Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) during rest and activity (0 = no pain, 10 = very severe pain).

    Measured: In the 3rd week of treatment

  3. Muscle Thickness

    The linear probe is placed transversely at the point where the iliac crest intersects with the middle point of the T12 rib, crossing the mid-axillary line. The position of the linear probe is adjusted until all abdominal muscles are visible. To standardize the images, the center point of the probe in the image is shifted 2 cm laterally to align with the insertion of the superficial fascia of the transversus abdominis muscle. The thickness of the transversus abdominis muscle is determined by the distance between the superficial and deep fascia at the thickest point in the image. The thickness between the two fasciae is measured using the digital caliper of the device.

    Measured: before treatment

  4. Muscle Thickness

    The linear probe is placed transversely at the point where the iliac crest intersects with the middle point of the T12 rib, crossing the mid-axillary line. The position of the linear probe is adjusted until all abdominal muscles are visible. To standardize the images, the center point of the probe in the image is shifted 2 cm laterally to align with the insertion of the superficial fascia of the transversus abdominis muscle. The thickness of the transversus abdominis muscle is determined by the distance between the superficial and deep fascia at the thickest point in the image. The thickness between the two fasciae is measured using the digital caliper of the device.

    Measured: In the 3rd week of treatment

Secondary outcomes (8)
  1. Berg Balance Scale

    The Berg Balance Scale is an assessment tool developed to measure balance performance in geriatric patients. It is frequently used in clinical studies to evaluate postural control and predict fall risk. The scale consists of 14 instructions, and the patient's performance for each instruction is observed and scored from 0 to 4. A score of 0 is given when the patient is unable to perform the activity at all, while a score of 4 is given when the patient completes the activity independently.

    Measured: before treatment

  2. Berg Balance Scale

    The Berg Balance Scale is an assessment tool developed to measure balance performance in geriatric patients. It is frequently used in clinical studies to evaluate postural control and predict fall risk. The scale consists of 14 instructions, and the patient's performance for each instruction is observed and scored from 0 to 4. A score of 0 is given when the patient is unable to perform the activity at all, while a score of 4 is given when the patient completes the activity independently.

    Measured: In the 3rd week of treatment

  3. Oswestry Disability Index

    The Oswestry Disability Index is a specific questionnaire method used to assess functional status in patients with low back pain. It consists of 10 items, each evaluating the impact of low back pain on daily living activities. Each item is rated from 0 to 5, and the total score is converted into a percentage for evaluation. A total score of 0-20%: Minimal disability, 21-40%: Moderate disability, 41-60%: Severe disability, 61-80%: Crippled condition, and 81-100%: Complete disability.

    Measured: before treatment

  4. Oswestry Disability Index

    The Oswestry Disability Index is a specific questionnaire method used to assess functional status in patients with low back pain. It consists of 10 items, each evaluating the impact of low back pain on daily living activities. Each item is rated from 0 to 5, and the total score is converted into a percentage for evaluation. A total score of 0-20%: Minimal disability, 21-40%: Moderate disability, 41-60%: Severe disability, 61-80%: Crippled condition, and 81-100%: Complete disability.

    Measured: In the 3rd week of treatment

  5. Lomber Range of Motion

    The range of motion of lomber region will be measured passively with a goniometer in the flexion, abduction, internal rotation and external rotation directions.

    Measured: before treatment

  6. Lomber Range of Motion

    The range of motion of lomber region will be measured passively with a goniometer in the flexion, abduction, internal rotation and external rotation directions.

    Measured: In the 3rd week of treatment

  7. EQ-5D-3L General Quality of Life Scale

    The EQ-5D-3L is a standardized, simple, and short questionnaire method used to measure individuals' overall health status. It contains five questions: mobility, self-care, daily activities, pain/discomfort, and anxiety/depression. For each question, a 3-level assessment is made (1: No problems, 2: Moderate problems, 3: Severe problems).

    Measured: before treatment

  8. EQ-5D-3L General Quality of Life Scale

    The EQ-5D-3L is a standardized, simple, and short questionnaire method used to measure individuals' overall health status. It contains five questions: mobility, self-care, daily activities, pain/discomfort, and anxiety/depression. For each question, a 3-level assessment is made (1: No problems, 2: Moderate problems, 3: Severe problems).

    Measured: In the 3rd week of treatment

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted4 Mar 2025
  2. Study start1 Mar 2025 (estimated)
  3. Primary completion28 Feb 2026 (estimated)
  4. Study completion28 Feb 2026 (estimated)

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase N/A
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Masking
Single blind
Who is masked
Outcomes assessor
Enrolment
30 participants (estimated)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT06856642
Sponsor's protocol ID
AIBU-FTR-SK-09
Status last verified
Mar 2025
First submitted
27 Feb 2025
Last updated
6 Mar 2025
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Conservative Physical Therapy, Abdominal Draw-in Manuever and Real-Time Ultrasound Biofeedback with Abdominal Draw-In Manuever in people with Chronic Non-specific Low Back Pain, run by Abant Izzet Baysal University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 4 inclusion and 9 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 6 Mar 2025. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye). Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

Contact Serdar KILINÇ (+90 5055913181, drserdarkilinc@hotmail.com), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Visual Analogue Scale (time frame: before treatment). The study lists 4 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 6 Mar 2025.

Free account

Log in to keep searching

You’ve used your 3 free searches. AzTrials is free: log in or create a free account to keep searching clinical trials and save the ones you want to follow.

Create a free accountLog in