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Chronic PainCRP-RuralNCT07129356

Field and Home Exercise Program for Improving Function in Iraqi Rural Women

A study testing Combined Exercise in people with Chronic Pain and Rural Health, run by University of Mosul at 1 site in Iraq.

Completed

Finished. The study has ended and is not enrolling. Results may be posted on the official record.

Official record
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Trial summary

This study evaluates a 12-week Combined Rehabilitation Program (CRP) designed to reduce musculoskeletal pain and improve physical function among rural women in northern Iraq. The program integrates home-based therapeutic exercises with simple, culturally appropriate games. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 to 57 years, women only
Conditions the study is for
Chronic Pain, Rural Health, Physical Therapy
What is being tested?
Combined Exercise
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
66 participants
Where
1 siteIraq
Study dates
5 Jun 2024to 7 Nov 2024
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 57 years
  • Women only
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult

Who may be able to join

  • Women have experienced Musculoskeletal pain in one or more one of fourth areas of study variables which are : the upper and lower extremities, neck, and lower back.

Who cannot join

  • Women who suffer from other functional diseases not related to Musculoskeletal pain.

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

Iraq1 site
  • College of Physical Education and Sport Sciences

    Mosul, Nineveh Governorate, 00964

Other trials in Iraq

About this study

Official title: Feasibility a Combining Rehabilitation Program at Field Exercises and Tele-exercises to Enhance Daily Life Activities to Rural Women in Iraq

This study evaluates a 12-week Combined Rehabilitation Program (CRP) designed to reduce musculoskeletal pain and improve physical function among rural women in northern Iraq. The program integrates home-based therapeutic exercises with simple, culturally appropriate games. Sixty-six women from the Hamdaniya district, all with nearly two decades of experience in agricultural labor and chronic musculoskeletal pain in the back, neck, and limbs, participated voluntarily.

The intervention includes two supervised group sessions per week at a local sports field and remote home-based sessions guided via pre-recorded videos shared through WhatsApp. Each session lasts 45 to 60 minutes and incorporates rest periods. The program is designed to strengthen weakened muscles, improve daily function, and promote social engagement among participants.

Read more

Rural women engaged in long-term agricultural labor are at increased risk of chronic musculoskeletal pain, particularly in the back, neck, and limbs.

What is already known on this subject:

  • Rural women engaged in long-term agricultural labor are at increased risk of chronic musculoskeletal pain, particularly in the back, neck, and limbs.
  • Home-based therapeutic exercises are widely used to manage pain and improve physical function.
  • Community-based rehabilitation programs can support better health outcomes in underserved populations.

What this study adds:

  • Introduces a culturally adapted Combined Rehabilitation Program (CRP) that blends home-based exercises with traditional games in a rural Iraqi context.
  • Explores the feasibility of delivering rehabilitation through low-cost mobile technology in resource-limited environments.
  • Provides a community-based model for accessible, flexible rehabilitation tailored to the needs of rural women.
Read the detailed description

This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a Combined Rehabilitation Program (CRP) designed to reduce musculoskeletal pain and enhance physical function among rural women in northern Iraq. The CRP integrates home-based therapeutic exercises with culturally relevant physical games and is tailored to the specific needs and social context of the participants.

The study includes 66 women, aged around 46 years, with 18-23 years of experience in agricultural work. All participants reported ongoing muscle and joint pain in the upper and lower limbs, back, and neck, which affects their ability to carry out daily activities. Due to family and work constraints, a flexible intervention was developed that combines in-person and remote elements to ensure accessibility and adherence.

The 12-week program consists of two supervised group sessions per week held at a local field, along with home-based sessions delivered through pre-recorded videos shared via mobile applications. Each session lasts 45-60 minutes and includes walking, stretching, strengthening exercises, and simple games targeting muscle groups commonly affected by physical labor. Rest periods are integrated into each session to promote safety and participation.

Participants are assessed before and after the intervention for muscle strength, flexibility, body composition, and pain levels using standardized tools. The study design emphasizes a community-based and technology-supported approach to rehabilitation, addressing the unique challenges faced by women in rural areas with limited access to conventional services.

Being tested
Combined Exercise
Keywords
Muscle imbalance, Chronic musculoskeletal pain, Back pain
Medical subject headings
Chronic Pain, Back Pain

What participants receive

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

  • Combined ExerciseBehavioural

    Participants engaged in a hybrid exercise program that included:

    In-field sessions held twice weekly at a local sports facility (45-60 minutes per session, including rest).

    Remote sessions delivered via pre-recorded videos through WhatsApp, with ongoing monitoring and feedback.

    Exercises included walking, jogging, full-body stretching, and strength training targeting the trunk, limbs, and weak muscle groups (shoulders, back, knees).

    The program aimed to reduce joint and muscle pain, improve strength and flexibility, and support daily functional activities.

    Pre- and post-intervention assessments included muscle strength (via hand dynamometer), flexibility tests, BMI, and self-reported pain using the NRS-11 scale.

Study groups in NCT07129356
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Combined Rehabilitation Program (CRP) - Single GroupExperimentalThis arm received a 12-week Combined Rehabilitation Program (CRP), consisting of both in-person field exercises and remote tele-exercises. The intervention included therapeutic exercises and culturally relevant physical games tailored to improve musculoskeletal function and reduce pain. Exercises were focused on mobility, strength, and flexibility, targeting areas of muscle weakness identified during baseline assessment.
Receives: Behavioral: Combined Exercise

What is being measured

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

  1. Change in musculoskeletal pain level in the lower back, neck, upper extremities, and lower extremities.

    Pain levels will be self-reported using the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS-11), a validated 11-point scale ranging from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst possible pain). Participants will report pain in four body regions: lower back, neck, upper extremities, and lower extremities. The method of assessment was Numeric Rating Scale (NRS-11), administered in-person and via teleconsultation.

    Measured: Baseline and Week 12

Secondary outcomes (2)
  1. Change in flexibility.

    Flexibility of major joints and muscle groups (especially lower extremities) will be assessed using standard range-of-motion and stretch tests. The method of assessment was manual flexibility tests (sit-and-reach, joint range assessments)

    Measured: Baseline and Week 12

  2. Change in muscle strength in upper and lower extremities and trunk.

    Muscle strength will be measured using a handheld dynamometer (MicroFET2). Assessments will include trunk flexors/extensors, thigh flexors/extensors, and upper limb muscles (shoulder, elbow, wrist).The method of assessment was Handheld Dynamometer (MicroFET2).

    Measured: Baseline and Week 12

Timeline

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

  1. First posted19 Aug 2025
  2. Study start5 Jun 2024
  3. Primary completion15 Oct 2024
  4. Study completion7 Nov 2024

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
Supportive care
Allocation
Not applicable
Intervention model
Single group
Model description
Design: Quasi-Experimental, One-Group Pretest-Posttest Design
Masking
None (open label)
Enrolment
66 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT07129356
Sponsor's protocol ID
College of Physical Education
Other IDs
The corresponding Author
Acronym
CRP-Rural
Status last verified
Aug 2025
First submitted
23 Jul 2025
Last updated
19 Aug 2025
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
Yes
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
Yes: Data availability will be available on request by contact with corresponding author on email : m.a.fathi@uomsul.edu.iq

Publications

  • Mesa-Castrillon CI, Simic M, Ferreira ML, Bennell KL, Luscombe GM, Gater K, Beckenkamp PR, Michell A, Bauman A, de Luca K, Bunker S, Clavisi O, Ferreira PH. Effectiveness of an eHealth-Delivered Program to Empower People With Musculoskeletal Pain in Rural Australia: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken). 2024 Apr;76(4):570-581. doi: 10.1002/acr.25272. Epub 2024 Jan 29.

    PubMed 37984995
  • Mesa-Castrillon CI, Simic M, Ferreira ML, Hatswell K, Luscombe G, de Gregorio AM, Davis PR, Bauman A, Bunker S, Clavisi O, Knox G, Bennell KL, Ferreira PH. EHealth to empower patients with musculoskeletal pain in rural Australia (EMPoweR) a randomised clinical trial: study protocol. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2021 Jan 5;22(1):11. doi: 10.1186/s12891-020-03866-2.

    PubMed 33402161
  • Frattali CM. National Institutes of Health, Warren Grant Magnuson Clinical Center. ASHA. 1999 Jul-Aug;41(4):46-9. No abstract available.

    PubMed 10420662
  • Mesa-Castrillon CI, Beckenkamp PR, Ferreira M, Simic M, Davis PR, Michell A, Pappas E, Luscombe G, Noronha M, Ferreira P. Global prevalence of musculoskeletal pain in rural and urban populations. A systematic review with meta-analysis. Musculoskeletal pain in rural and urban populations. Aust J Rural Health. 2024 Oct;32(5):864-876. doi: 10.1111/ajr.13161. Epub 2024 Jul 4.

    PubMed 38963186
  • Lombard C, Harrison C, Kozica S, Zoungas S, Ranasinha S, Teede H. Preventing Weight Gain in Women in Rural Communities: A Cluster Randomised Controlled Trial. PLoS Med. 2016 Jan 19;13(1):e1001941. doi: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1001941. eCollection 2016 Jan.

    PubMed 26785406
  • Gonzalez-Rocha A, Mendez-Sanchez L, Ortiz-Rodriguez MA, Denova-Gutierrez E. Effect Of Exercise on Muscle Mass, Fat Mass, Bone Mass, Muscular Strength and Physical Performance in Community Dwelling Older Adults: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Aging Dis. 2022 Oct 1;13(5):1421-1435. doi: 10.14336/AD.2022.0215. eCollection 2022 Oct 1.

    PubMed 36186132
  • Allworth I, Luscombe G, Ferreira P, Mesa-Castrillon C. Exploring participant satisfaction with an eHealth intervention for low back pain and knee osteoarthritis: Enhancing physiotherapy access in rural Australia. Musculoskelet Sci Pract. 2025 Apr;76:103252. doi: 10.1016/j.msksp.2024.103252. Epub 2025 Jan 9.

    PubMed 39805211
  • Alghadir AH, Anwer S, Iqbal A, Iqbal ZA. Test-retest reliability, validity, and minimum detectable change of visual analog, numerical rating, and verbal rating scales for measurement of osteoarthritic knee pain. J Pain Res. 2018 Apr 26;11:851-856. doi: 10.2147/JPR.S158847. eCollection 2018.

    PubMed 29731662
  • Bashshur RL, Shannon GW, Smith BR, Alverson DC, Antoniotti N, Barsan WG, Bashshur N, Brown EM, Coye MJ, Doarn CR, Ferguson S, Grigsby J, Krupinski EA, Kvedar JC, Linkous J, Merrell RC, Nesbitt T, Poropatich R, Rheuban KS, Sanders JH, Watson AR, Weinstein RS, Yellowlees P. The empirical foundations of telemedicine interventions for chronic disease management. Telemed J E Health. 2014 Sep;20(9):769-800. doi: 10.1089/tmj.2014.9981. Epub 2014 Jun 26.

    PubMed 24968105
  • Rockwell KL, Gilroy AS. Incorporating telemedicine as part of COVID-19 outbreak response systems. Am J Manag Care. 2020 Apr;26(4):147-148. doi: 10.37765/ajmc.2020.42784.

    PubMed 32270980
  • Akbar KA, Try P, Viwattanakulvanid P, Kallawicha K. Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders Among Farmers in the Southeast Asia Region: A Systematic Review. Saf Health Work. 2023 Sep;14(3):243-249. doi: 10.1016/j.shaw.2023.05.001. Epub 2023 May 13.

    PubMed 37818214
  • Alonso Monteiro Bezerra M, Hellwig N, da Rocha Castelar Pinheiro G, Souza Lopes C. Prevalence of chronic musculoskeletal conditions and associated factors in Brazilian adults - National Health Survey. BMC Public Health. 2018 Feb 27;18(1):287. doi: 10.1186/s12889-018-5192-4.

    PubMed 29482524
  • Walker-Bone K, Palmer KT. Musculoskeletal disorders in farmers and farm workers. Occup Med (Lond). 2002 Dec;52(8):441-50. doi: 10.1093/occmed/52.8.441.

    PubMed 12488514
  • Osborne A, Blake C, McNamara J, Meredith D, Phelan J, Cunningham C. Musculoskeletal disorders among Irish farmers. Occup Med (Lond). 2010 Dec;60(8):598-603. doi: 10.1093/occmed/kqq146. Epub 2010 Sep 15.

    PubMed 20844056
  • Hulshof CTJ, Pega F, Neupane S, Colosio C, Daams JG, Kc P, Kuijer PPFM, Mandic-Rajcevic S, Masci F, van der Molen HF, Nygard CH, Oakman J, Proper KI, Frings-Dresen MHW. The effect of occupational exposure to ergonomic risk factors on osteoarthritis of hip or knee and selected other musculoskeletal diseases: A systematic review and meta-analysis from the WHO/ILO Joint Estimates of the Work-related Burden of Disease and Injury. Environ Int. 2021 May;150:106349. doi: 10.1016/j.envint.2020.106349. Epub 2021 Feb 3.

    PubMed 33546919

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Combined Exercise in people with Chronic Pain and Rural Health, run by University of Mosul at 1 site in Iraq.

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 1 inclusion and 1 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 19 Aug 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 Iraq. 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?

Change in musculoskeletal pain level in the lower back, neck, upper extremities, and lower extremities. (time frame: Baseline and Week 12). 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 NCT07129356, which also lists 17 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 19 Aug 2025.

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