Low Back PainNCT07026071
Positional Release Technique Versus Stretching Exercises In Patients With Chronic Non-Specific Low Back Pain
A study testing Positional Release Technique and Stretching Exercises in people with Low Back Pain, run by Riphah International University at 1 site in Pakistan.
Trial summary
This study will be a Randomized Clinical Trial and will be conducted in Physiotherapy Outpatient Department of Allama Iqbal Memorial Teaching Hospital, Sialkot. Non-Probability Convenient Sampling will be used to collect the data. Sample size of subjects with age group between 18-45 years will be taken. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 45 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Low Back Pain
- What is being tested?
- Positional Release Technique and Stretching Exercises
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 40 participants
- Where
- 1 sitePakistan
- Study dates
- 1 May 2025to 30 Sep 2025
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
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 45 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- Male or Female Gender
- 18 - 45 years of age
- Back Pain with the duration longer than 12 weeks.
- Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) score of 3-7/10
- Oswestry Disability Index score of 20-60
- Minimum 20 degrees of flexion at knee while performing active knee extension test
- Positive Modified Thomas Test
- Participations with Lumbar Pain and Pain in the attachments of Quadratus Lumborum Muscle (iliac crest and lower ribs) or pain localized para spinally or restriction in motion of lumbar due to tightness of Quadratus Lumborum Muscle
Who cannot join
- Serious spinal disorders, such as fractures
- History of trauma or Previous Spinal Surgery
- Spine osteoarthritis, Spinal Canal Stenosis and Spondylolistheses
- Any neurological symptoms involving Prolapsed Intervertebral Disc, Radiculopathy or presence of root symptoms (e.g. Sciatica and Cauda Equina Syndrome)
- Any systemic disease like Rheumatoid Arthritis, Ankylosing Spondylitis
- Pregnancy, Cancer or Malignancy
- Altered Sensation and Deep Tendon Reflex
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Official title: Effects Of Positional Release Technique Versus Stretching Exercises Combined With Standard Physical Therapy Treatment On Pain, Range Of Motion And Disability In Patients With Chronic Non-Specific Lowback Pain
This study will be a Randomized Clinical Trial and will be conducted in Physiotherapy Outpatient Department of Allama Iqbal Memorial Teaching Hospital, Sialkot. Non-Probability Convenient Sampling will be used to collect the data. Sample size of subjects with age group between 18-45 years will be taken. Data will be collected from the patients having present complaint of Chronic Non-Specific Low Back Pain. Outcome measures will be taken using Numeric pain rating scale (NPRS) for pain, Oswestry Disability Index for Disability and Inclinometer for Range of motion. An informed consent will be taken from the participants. Subjects will be selected on the basis of inclusion and exclusion criteria and will be equally divided into two groups by random number generator table. Both the Groups will receive Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation, Hot Pack, and Standard Physical Therapy exercises for CNSLBP, while Group A will receive Positional Release Technique for Iliopsoas, Quadratus Lumborum and Hamstring Muscle and Group B will receive Stretching Exercises of Iliopsoas, Quadratus Lumborum and Hamstring Muscle. Outcome measures will be measured at baseline and after 4 weeks. Data analysis will be done by SPSS version 25.
Read the detailed description
Low back pain (LBP) is considered one of the most prevalent and debilitating musculoskeletal conditions that affects the majority of the general population. It is the most commonly reported complaint area in musculoskeletal conditions, leading to pain and a reduction in overall life quality. Low back pain is pain in the region between the 12th rib and the inferior gluteal fold and is a musculoskeletal system problem that is common in society, mostly caused by nonspecific causes and leads to disability.
Low Back Pain is present in developed countries as well as developing ones, but presents different issues in both: in developed countries, the impact and burden of Non-Specific Low Back Pain is placed on the healthcare and social system first. In contrast, in developing countries, the burden is predominantly placed on the people impacted by low back pain and their support systems.
Nonspecific low back pain is defined as the pain where no specific pathoanatomical cause can be identified and is the most common type of low back pain. A total of 90% of low back pain lacks identifiable pathology and is termed 'non-specific' low back pain (NSLBP). Depending on the duration of the pain, acute low back pain is defined as the pain persisting for less than 06 weeks, Sub-acute Non Specific Low Back Pain refers to pain that lasts between six weeks and three months and chronic non-specific low back pain is the pain when it lasts for more than 12 weeks. Low back pain often becomes chronic, and if non-specific low back pain lasts more than 3 months, it is called chronic non-specific low back pain. Many people with low back pain will experience resolution within 6 weeks of onset. However, two-thirds of people with low back pain report pain at 3 months and 12 months.
Chronic Low Back Pain is a widespread issue that affects many people's daily lives and work abilities. This research compares the Positional Release Technique and Stretching Exercises with standard physical therapy to see which treatment better reduces pain, improves range of motion and decreases disability. The goal of this research is to provide physical therapists with clear evidence on the most effective treatment for CNSLBP, focusing on Iliopsoas, Quadratus Lumborum and Hamstrings Muscle. By identifying the best techniques, this study aims to equip physical therapists with new methods to enhance patient care which, in turn, will aid the healthcare system in providing more effective care.
- Conditions
- Low Back Pain
- Being tested
- Positional Release Technique, Stretching Exercises
- Keywords
- Low Back Pain, Positional Release Technique, Range of Motion, Stretching Exercises
- 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.
Positional Release TechniqueOther
Positional Release Technique will be repeated 3 times in each session for each muscle with an aim to produce a decrease in perceived pain and an increase in pressure tolerance Iliopsoas Quadratus Lumborum Hamstrings
Stretching ExercisesOther
These exercises will be performed with three repetitions per set, three sets per visit and with 30 seconds hold and 30 seconds rest Iliopsoas Quadratus Lumborum Hamstrings
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Group A | Experimental | Not described Receives: Other: Positional Release Technique |
| Group B | Active comparator | Not described Receives: Other: Stretching Exercises |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
NPRS
PRS stands for Numeric Pain Rating Scale. It's a tool used to measure the intensity of pain, where individuals rate their pain on a scale from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst pain imaginable).
Measured: Baseline, 4th Week
Oswestry Disability Index
The Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) is scored out of 100%, with a lower percentage indicating less disability. The ODI consists of 10 sections, each with 6 statements, scored from 0 to 5, with 0 representing no disability and 5 representing the maximum disability. To calculate the ODI score, sum the scores from all sections, divide by the total possible score (50 if all sections are completed), and multiply by 100.
Measured: Baseline, 4th Week
Lumbar Range of Motion
Lumbar range of motion (ROM) is typically measured in degrees using a goniometer, with normal ranges varying by movement. Flexion is typically around 60-75 degrees, extension 25-35 degrees, and lateral flexion 20-25 degrees.
Measured: Baseline, 4th Week
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted18 Jun 2025
- Study start1 May 2025
- Primary completion30 Aug 2025
- Study completion30 Sep 2025
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (3)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Low Back PainStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
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
- Double blind
- Who is masked
- Participant, Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 40 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Riphah International University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Syed Shakil ur Rehman, PhD, Principal investigator, Riphah International University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07026071
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- Burhan- REC/RCR&AHS 24/0140
- Status last verified
- Feb 2026
- First submitted
- 11 Jun 2025
- Last updated
- 25 Feb 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- Yes
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Publications
Sheeran L, Al-Amri M, Sparkes V, Davies JL. Assessment of Spinal and Pelvic Kinematics Using Inertial Measurement Units in Clinical Subgroups of Persistent Non-Specific Low Back Pain. Sensors (Basel). 2024 Mar 26;24(7):2127. doi: 10.3390/s24072127.
PubMed 38610338Robinault L, Niazi IK, Kumari N, Amjad I, Menard V, Haavik H. Non-Specific Low Back Pain: An Inductive Exploratory Analysis through Factor Analysis and Deep Learning for Better Clustering. Brain Sci. 2023 Jun 13;13(6):946. doi: 10.3390/brainsci13060946.
PubMed 37371424Vatovec R, Voglar M. Changes of trunk muscle stiffness in individuals with low back pain: a systematic review with meta-analysis. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2024 Feb 19;25(1):155. doi: 10.1186/s12891-024-07241-3.
PubMed 38373986
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 25 Feb 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Effects Of Positional Release Technique Versus Stretching Exercises Combined With Standard Physical Therapy Treatment On Pain, Range Of Motion And Disability In Patients With Chronic Non-Specific Lowback Pain
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07026071
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- Burhan- REC/RCR&AHS 24/0140
- Conditions
- Low Back Pain
- Keywords
- Low Back Pain, Positional Release Technique, Range of Motion, Stretching Exercises
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 40 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Riphah International UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 1 May 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 30 Aug 2025 (actual)
- Study completion
- 30 Sep 2025 (actual)
- First posted
- 18 Jun 2025 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
This study will be a Randomized Clinical Trial and will be conducted in Physiotherapy Outpatient Department of Allama Iqbal Memorial Teaching Hospital, Sialkot. Non-Probability Convenient Sampling will be used to collect the data. Sample size of subjects with age group between 18-45 years will be taken. Data will be collected from the patients having present complaint of Chronic Non-Specific Low Back Pain. Outcome measures will be taken using Numeric pain rating scale (NPRS) for pain, Oswestry Disability Index for Disability and Inclinometer for Range of motion. An informed consent will be taken from the participants. Subjects will be selected on the basis of inclusion and exclusion criteria and will be equally divided into two groups by random number generator table. Both the Groups will receive Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation, Hot Pack, and Standard Physical Therapy exercises for CNSLBP, while Group A will receive Positional Release Technique for Iliopsoas, Quadratus Lumborum and Hamstring Muscle and Group B will receive Stretching Exercises of Iliopsoas, Quadratus Lumborum and Hamstring Muscle. Outcome measures will be measured at baseline and after 4 weeks. Data analysis will be done by SPSS version 25.
Detailed description
Low back pain (LBP) is considered one of the most prevalent and debilitating musculoskeletal conditions that affects the majority of the general population. It is the most commonly reported complaint area in musculoskeletal conditions, leading to pain and a reduction in overall life quality. Low back pain is pain in the region between the 12th rib and the inferior gluteal fold and is a musculoskeletal system problem that is common in society, mostly caused by nonspecific causes and leads to disability.
Low Back Pain is present in developed countries as well as developing ones, but presents different issues in both: in developed countries, the impact and burden of Non-Specific Low Back Pain is placed on the healthcare and social system first. In contrast, in developing countries, the burden is predominantly placed on the people impacted by low back pain and their support systems.
Nonspecific low back pain is defined as the pain where no specific pathoanatomical cause can be identified and is the most common type of low back pain. A total of 90% of low back pain lacks identifiable pathology and is termed 'non-specific' low back pain (NSLBP). Depending on the duration of the pain, acute low back pain is defined as the pain persisting for less than 06 weeks, Sub-acute Non Specific Low Back Pain refers to pain that lasts between six weeks and three months and chronic non-specific low back pain is the pain when it lasts for more than 12 weeks. Low back pain often becomes chronic, and if non-specific low back pain lasts more than 3 months, it is called chronic non-specific low back pain. Many people with low back pain will experience resolution within 6 weeks of onset. However, two-thirds of people with low back pain report pain at 3 months and 12 months.
Chronic Low Back Pain is a widespread issue that affects many people's daily lives and work abilities. This research compares the Positional Release Technique and Stretching Exercises with standard physical therapy to see which treatment better reduces pain, improves range of motion and decreases disability. The goal of this research is to provide physical therapists with clear evidence on the most effective treatment for CNSLBP, focusing on Iliopsoas, Quadratus Lumborum and Hamstrings Muscle. By identifying the best techniques, this study aims to equip physical therapists with new methods to enhance patient care which, in turn, will aid the healthcare system in providing more effective care.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Double blind (participant, outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Group A | Experimental | Other: Positional Release Technique |
| Group B | Active comparator | Other: Stretching Exercises |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 45 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (8 listed)
- Male or Female Gender
- 18 - 45 years of age
- Back Pain with the duration longer than 12 weeks.
- Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) score of 3-7/10
- Oswestry Disability Index score of 20-60
Key exclusion criteria (7 listed)
- Serious spinal disorders, such as fractures
- History of trauma or Previous Spinal Surgery
- Spine osteoarthritis, Spinal Canal Stenosis and Spondylolistheses
- Any neurological symptoms involving Prolapsed Intervertebral Disc, Radiculopathy or presence of root symptoms (e.g. Sciatica and Cauda Equina Syndrome)
- Any systemic disease like Rheumatoid Arthritis, Ankylosing Spondylitis
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Positional Release TechniquePositional Release Technique will be repeated 3 times in each session for each muscle with an aim to produce a decrease in perceived pain and an increase in pressure tolerance Iliopsoas Quadratus Lumborum Hamstrings | Other | Group A |
| Stretching ExercisesThese exercises will be performed with three repetitions per set, three sets per visit and with 30 seconds hold and 30 seconds rest Iliopsoas Quadratus Lumborum Hamstrings | Other | Group B |
Primary outcome
NPRS
Time frame: Baseline, 4th Week
PRS stands for Numeric Pain Rating Scale. It's a tool used to measure the intensity of pain, where individuals rate their pain on a scale from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst pain imaginable).
Oswestry Disability Index
Time frame: Baseline, 4th Week
The Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) is scored out of 100%, with a lower percentage indicating less disability. The ODI consists of 10 sections, each with 6 statements, scored from 0 to 5, with 0 representing no disability and 5 representing the maximum disability. To calculate the ODI score, sum the scores from all sections, divide by the total possible score (50 if all sections are completed), and multiply by 100.
Lumbar Range of Motion
Time frame: Baseline, 4th Week
Lumbar range of motion (ROM) is typically measured in degrees using a goniometer, with normal ranges varying by movement. Flexion is typically around 60-75 degrees, extension 25-35 degrees, and lateral flexion 20-25 degrees.
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 25 Feb 2026.
- Background: PubMed 38610338Sheeran L, Al-Amri M, Sparkes V, Davies JL. Assessment of Spinal and Pelvic Kinematics Using Inertial Measurement Units in Clinical Subgroups of Persistent Non-Specific Low Back Pain. Sensors (Basel). 2024 Mar 26;24(7):2127. doi: 10.3390/s24072127.
- Background: PubMed 37371424Robinault L, Niazi IK, Kumari N, Amjad I, Menard V, Haavik H. Non-Specific Low Back Pain: An Inductive Exploratory Analysis through Factor Analysis and Deep Learning for Better Clustering. Brain Sci. 2023 Jun 13;13(6):946. doi: 10.3390/brainsci13060946.
- Background: PubMed 38373986Vatovec R, Voglar M. Changes of trunk muscle stiffness in individuals with low back pain: a systematic review with meta-analysis. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2024 Feb 19;25(1):155. doi: 10.1186/s12891-024-07241-3.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Syed Shakil ur Rehman, PhD principal investigator
Riphah International University
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Positional Release Technique and Stretching Exercises in people with Low Back Pain, run by Riphah International University at 1 site in Pakistan.
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 8 inclusion and 7 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: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 25 Feb 2026. 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 Pakistan. 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?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
NPRS (time frame: Baseline, 4th Week). The study lists 3 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT07026071, which also lists 3 linked publications.
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 25 Feb 2026.