Back PainNCT07167888
Low Back and Neck Pain in Nursing Students at The University of The West Indies
A study testing Spine Exercise Program (Group B) in people with Back Pain and Low Back Pain, run by The University of The West Indies at 1 site in Jamaica.
Trial summary
The purpose of this study is to identify the prevalence of neck and low back pain in nursing students enrolled at the University of the West Indies, Mona; to assess their knowledge, attitude and practice of good spine health and to determine the outcome of a standardised spine exercise program on nursing students… Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Any ageHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Back Pain, Low Back Pain, Musculoskeletal Pain
- What is being tested?
- Spine Exercise Program (Group B)
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 400 participants
- Where
- 1 siteJamaica
- Study dates
- 1 Apr 2026to 31 Mar 2027
- 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 Any age
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Child, Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- All students enrolled in the student nursing program at the University of the West Indies, Mona Campus, Jamaica during the period October 4, 2025 to October 3, 2026.
- Individuals who express a willingness to consent to the study.
- Individuals who express a willingness to adhere to the standardised exercise program for the stipulated period.
Who cannot join
- Individuals with a history of having spine surgery.
- Individuals who were previously diagnosed with spine pathology and currently receiving rehabilitation therapy.
- Individuals who express an unwillingness to participate in the study.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
Paula U. A. Dawson, MBBS, Diplomate ABPMR contact
Jamaica1 site
Faculty of Medical Sciences Teaching and Research Complex, University of The West Indies-Mona Campus
Kingston
About this study
Official title: The Prevalence of Neck and Low Back Pain With a Randomised Controlled Trial Comparing Spine-Specific and Non-Spine Specific Exercise Interventions in Nursing Students at The University of the West Indies, Mona: A Two-Phase Study
The purpose of this study is to identify the prevalence of neck and low back pain in nursing students enrolled at the University of the West Indies, Mona; to assess their knowledge, attitude and practice of good spine health and to determine the outcome of a standardised spine exercise program on nursing students experiencing neck and low back pain, using a prospective randomised control design.
Read the detailed description
Neck and low back pain are among the most common musculoskeletal conditions worldwide. Although often self-limiting, these conditions can become disabling, negatively affecting productivity, social participation, and activities of daily living. Occupational factors, prolonged sitting, sustained computer use, awkward postures, and repetitive neck movements are recognised contributors to spinal pain. Nursing students are particularly vulnerable to musculoskeletal disorders, with risk beginning during their training years. During the preclinical phase, students spend prolonged periods attending lectures, studying, and completing assignments, often involving sustained sitting and computer use. In the clinical phase, students are exposed to physically demanding tasks such as prolonged standing, ward rounds, assisting with procedures, and manual patient handling, including lifting and repositioning patients. These activities, combined with poor ergonomic practices and reduced core stability, may contribute to the development of neck and low back pain. International studies have reported a high prevalence of musculoskeletal pain among nursing and medical students, particularly during clinical training. Factors such as increased computer use, elevated body mass index, prior trauma, and family history of musculoskeletal disorders have been identified as contributing risk factors. However, no published study has investigated the prevalence of neck and low back pain among nursing students in Jamaica or the wider Caribbean. Exercise therapy is widely recognised as an effective non-pharmacologic intervention for both acute and chronic low back pain, with evidence showing improvements in pain reduction and functional outcomes. Exercise enhances muscular strength, flexibility, and spinal stability, while promoting nutrient exchange within spinal structures, supporting overall spinal health and reducing the risk of injury. This study aims to determine the prevalence of neck and low back pain among nursing students at The University of the West Indies, Mona, and to compare the effectiveness of a standardized spine-specific exercise programme versus non-spine-specific exercises in reducing pain and improving knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to spinal health. It will be conducted in two phases and guided by a descriptive and experimental framework. In the first phase, the descriptive phase, a cross-sectional design will be used to assess the prevalence of neck and low back pain (NLBP) among all year groups of nursing students at The University of the West Indies, Mona. The University of the West Indies, Mona, currently enrolls approximately 400 nursing students across four years of training. Participants will complete questionnaires to determine the presence of musculoskeletal discomfort in the neck and low back pain, as well as their knowledge, attitude, and practice related to spine health. In the second phase, the experimental phase, nursing students who report musculoskeletal discomfort will be randomised into intervention and control groups. The intervention group will participate in an eight-week spine-specific exercise program, while the control group will receive a non-spine specific exercise in parallel during the study period. Pre- and post-intervention data will be collected using the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), the Cornell Musculoskeletal Discomfort Questionnaire (CMDQ), and custom questionnaires (Questionnaires A \& B) to assess changes in assessing knowledge, attitudes and practices toward musculoskeletal health, changes in perceived pain and participants' functional status.
Participant confidentiality will be strictly maintained, with each participant assigned a study identification number. Demographic data, presenting complaints, and outcome measures will be collected for study purposes and managed securely using REDCap, a password-protected, web-based platform compliant with national data protection standards. Statistical analysis will be conducted using the International Business Machines Corporation Statistical Product and Service Solutions (IBM SPSS software), and all study records will be securely stored and destroyed three years after study completion.
- Conditions
- Back Pain, Low Back Pain, Musculoskeletal Pain, Neck Pain, Spine Health, Musculoskeletal Pain Disorder
- Being tested
- Clinical Control Group (Group A), Spine Exercise Program (Group B)
- Keywords
- lower back pain, low back pain, musculoskeletal pain, neck pain, rehabilitation, university student, nursing students, spine health
- Medical subject headings
- Back Pain, Low Back Pain, Musculoskeletal Pain, Neck Pain, Collagen Diseases
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Clinical Control Group (Group A)Behavioural
The participants who reported the presence of neck or low back pain and were assigned to the clinical control group (Group A) after randomisation will receive a non-spine specific exercise program provided in a handout. The interventional group (Group B) will be asked to keep the standardised spine-specific exercise program confidential and not share with the control group (Group A). After eight (8) weeks, Group A participants will receive: the Cornell Musculoskeletal Discomfort Questionnaires (CMDQ) to assess for changes in the frequency, discomfort and interference with work due to musculoskeletal pain; a Questionnaire B, to ascertain any changes in their pain level using the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS); as well as their knowledge, attitude and practice towards musculoskeletal problems of the neck and low back pain.
Spine Exercise Program (Group B)Behavioural
The standardised spine-specific exercise program will be provided in a handout and given only to the intervention group (Group B), and will include specific spine basic neck or low back exercises to be done three (3) times per week, as well as brief stretching exercises, to be done during periods of sitting for greater than sixty (60) minutes. The selected participants will be asked to comply with instructions on the handout. Participants who experience worsening of their symptoms, or who develop new symptoms will be assessed as having an adverse outcome and will be withdrawn from the study and referred for evaluation and treatment if necessary.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Clinical Control (Group A) | Experimental | All participants will complete the Cornell Musculoskeletal Discomfort Questionnaires (CMDQ) to assess the frequency, discomfort and interference with work due to musculoskeletal pain; the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) to assess for perceived pain; as well as Questionnaire A to assess their knowledge, attitude and practice towards musculoskeletal problems of neck or low back pain. Participants who are found to have neck or low back pain will be randomised into two (2) groups: a clinical control group (Group A) and an intervention group (Group B). Group A will be given a non-spine specific exercise program over an eight (8) week period after which time, participants will be reassessed using the CMDQ and NRS, as well as a Questionnaire B to evaluate for changes in their knowledge, attitude and practice towards musculoskeletal problems of the neck and low back pain. Receives: Behavioral: Clinical Control Group (Group A) |
| Spine Exercise Program (Group B) | Experimental | All participants will complete the Cornell Musculoskeletal Discomfort Questionnaires (CMDQ) to assess the frequency, discomfort and interference with work due to musculoskeletal pain; the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) to assess for perceived pain; as well as Questionnaire A to assess their knowledge, attitude and practice towards musculoskeletal problems of neck or low back pain. Participants who are found to have neck or low back pain will be randomised into two (2) groups: a clinical control group (Group A) and an intervention group (Group B). Group B will be given a standardised spine-specific exercise program over an eight (8) week period, after which time they will be be reassessed using the CMDQ and NRS, as well as Questionnaire B to evaluate for changes in their knowledge, attitude and practice towards musculoskeletal problems of the neck and low back pain, having received the intervention. Receives: Behavioral: Spine Exercise Program (Group B) |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Change from Baseline in the Cornell Musculoskeletal Discomfort Questionnaire (CMDQ)
The Cornell Musculoskeletal Discomfort Questionnaire measures the frequency, discomfort and interference with work due to musculoskeletal pain, as reported by participants. The individually reported frequency score is then multiplied by the discomfort score and by the interference score to determine overall severity of pain experienced. This tallied score is then classified by severity into: no discomfort (0), mild (1 to 4.5), moderate (5 to 14), severe (15 - 45) and very severe (45 or higher). All participants will complete this assessment upon enrollment, as well as after an eight (8) week period of treatment, to evaluate any changes in their reported scores.
Measured: From enrollment to the end of treatment at eight (8) weeks
Secondary outcomes (3)
Knowledge, Attitude and Practice towards Musculoskeletal Problems of Neck and Low back Pain (Questionnaire A)
Questionnaire A is a self-administered general questionnaire used to evaluate participants' knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding musculoskeletal problems of the neck and low back. Knowledge is scored on a scale of 0-5, with 0-1 indicating poor or inadequate knowledge, 2-3 indicating moderate knowledge, and 4-5 indicating good or adequate knowledge. Attitude is scored 0-4, with 0-1 representing poor attitude, 2-3 moderate attitude, and 4 good attitude. Practice is scored 0-56, based on 12 questions, with 0-12 indicating poor or inadequate practices, 13-24 below average or fair, 25-32 average or moderate, 33-43 above average or good, and 44-56 excellent practices. Higher scores indicate better knowledge, more positive attitudes, and healthier practices related to neck and low back musculoskeletal problems. The questionnaire is administered at baseline (time of enrolment), and each domain will be analysed separately.
Measured: Done at the time of enrollment (Baseline)
Change from Baseline in Knowledge, Attitude and Practice Towards Musculoskeletal Problems of Neck and Low Back Pain (Questionnaire B)
Questionnaire B is a self-administered general questionnaire used to evaluate participants' knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding musculoskeletal problems of the neck and low back. Knowledge is scored on a scale of 0-5, with 0-1 indicating poor or inadequate knowledge, 2-3 indicating moderate knowledge, and 4-5 indicating good or adequate knowledge. Attitude is scored 0-4, with 0-1 representing poor attitude, 2-3 moderate attitude, and 4 good attitude. Practice is scored 0-56, based on 12 questions, with 0-12 indicating poor or inadequate practices, 13-24 below average or fair, 25-32 average or moderate, 33-43 above average or good, and 44-56 excellent practices. Higher scores indicate better knowledge, more positive attitudes, and healthier practices related to neck and low back musculoskeletal problems. The questionnaire is administered at the end of treatment at 8 weeks, and each domain will be analysed separately.
Measured: From Enrollment to the end of treatment at 8 weeks
Change from Baseline in the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS)
The Numeric Rating Scale is a reliable and valid, unidimensional 11-point scale used for patient self-reporting of perceived pain. Its scale uses integers which range from zero (0) to ten (10), where 0 represents no pain, and 10 represents the worst imaginable pain. This is then categorised into mild (1-3), moderate (4-6), and severe (7-10). All participants will complete this assessment upon enrollment, as well as after an eight (8) week period of treatment, to evaluate any changes in their perceived pain. This scale is from public domains and as such, permission for its use is not required.
Measured: From Enrollment to the end of treatment at 8 weeks
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted11 Sep 2025
- Study start1 Apr 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion31 Mar 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion31 Mar 2027 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (15)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for 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
- Prevention
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 400 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- The University of The West Indies
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Paula Dawson, MBBS, The University of The West Indies
- Investigators
- Paula U.A Dawson, MBBS, Diplomate ABPMR, Principal investigator, Division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, Mona, Jamaica.
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07167888
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- CREC-MN.0192,2024/2025
- Status last verified
- Feb 2026
- First submitted
- 3 Sep 2025
- Last updated
- 24 Feb 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Yes: De-identified individual participant data, including demographic data, pain scores, functional outcomes, and questionnaire responses, will be available to qualified researchers upon request for secondary analyses.
Publications
O'Sullivan PB, Phyty GD, Twomey LT, Allison GT. Evaluation of specific stabilizing exercise in the treatment of chronic low back pain with radiologic diagnosis of spondylolysis or spondylolisthesis. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 1997 Dec 15;22(24):2959-67. doi: 10.1097/00007632-199712150-00020.
PubMed 9431633Ariens GA, van Mechelen W, Bongers PM, Bouter LM, van der Wal G. Physical risk factors for neck pain. Scand J Work Environ Health. 2000 Feb;26(1):7-19. doi: 10.5271/sjweh.504.
PubMed 10744172Mandel JH, Lohman W. Low back pain in nurses: the relative importance of medical history, work factors, exercise, and demographics. Res Nurs Health. 1987 Jun;10(3):165-70. doi: 10.1002/nur.4770100308.
PubMed 2954190Lumbar/Core Strength and Stability Exercise. Athlethic Medicine.
Chou R, Huffman LH; American Pain Society; American College of Physicians. Nonpharmacologic therapies for acute and chronic low back pain: a review of the evidence for an American Pain Society/American College of Physicians clinical practice guideline. Ann Intern Med. 2007 Oct 2;147(7):492-504. doi: 10.7326/0003-4819-147-7-200710020-00007.
PubMed 17909210Smith DR, Leggat PA, Walsh LJ. Workplace hazards among Australian dental students. Aust Dent J. 2009 Jun;54(2):186-8. doi: 10.1111/j.1834-7819.2009.01116_8.x. No abstract available.
PubMed 19473172Lorusso A, Vimercati L, L'abbate N. Musculoskeletal complaints among Italian X-ray technology students: a cross-sectional questionnaire survey. BMC Res Notes. 2010 Apr 24;3:114. doi: 10.1186/1756-0500-3-114.
PubMed 20416101Smith DR, Leggat PA. Musculoskeletal disorders among rural Australian nursing students. Aust J Rural Health. 2004 Dec;12(6):241-5. doi: 10.1111/j.1440-1854.2004.00620.x.
PubMed 15615575Alshagga MA, Nimer AR, Yan LP, Ibrahim IA, Al-Ghamdi SS, Radman Al-Dubai SA. Prevalence and factors associated with neck, shoulder and low back pains among medical students in a Malaysian Medical College. BMC Res Notes. 2013 Jul 1;6:244. doi: 10.1186/1756-0500-6-244.
PubMed 23815853Solomon A, Wilson S, Meyer M, Sharma N. Prevalence of low back pain among nursing students compared to physical therapy students. International Journal of Nursing Education9(3):115, Jan 2017.
Smith DR, Wei N, Ishitake T, Wang RS. Musculoskeletal disorders among Chinese medical students. Kurume Med J. 2005;52(4):139-46. doi: 10.2739/kurumemedj.52.139.
PubMed 16639985Lis AM, Black KM, Korn H, Nordin M. Association between sitting and occupational LBP. Eur Spine J. 2007 Feb;16(2):283-98. doi: 10.1007/s00586-006-0143-7. Epub 2006 May 31.
PubMed 16736200Punnett L, Pruss-Utun A, Nelson DI, Fingerhut MA, Leigh J, Tak S, Phillips S. Estimating the global burden of low back pain attributable to combined occupational exposures. Am J Ind Med. 2005 Dec;48(6):459-69. doi: 10.1002/ajim.20232.
PubMed 16299708Ehrlich GE. Low back pain. Bull World Health Organ. 2003;81(9):671-6. Epub 2003 Nov 14.
PubMed 14710509Erdinc O HK, Ozkaya M. CROSS-CULTURAL ADAPTATION,VALIDITY AND RELIABILITY OFCORNELL MUSCULOSKELETAL DISCOMFORT QUESTIONNAIRE (CMDQ) IN TURKISH LANGUAGE. 2008.
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 24 Feb 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- The Prevalence of Neck and Low Back Pain With a Randomised Controlled Trial Comparing Spine-Specific and Non-Spine Specific Exercise Interventions in Nursing Students at The University of the West Indies, Mona: A Two-Phase Study
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07167888
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- CREC-MN.0192,2024/2025
- Conditions
- Back Pain, Low Back Pain, Musculoskeletal Pain, Neck Pain, Spine Health, Musculoskeletal Pain Disorder
- Keywords
- lower back pain, low back pain, musculoskeletal pain, neck pain, rehabilitation, university student, nursing students, spine health
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Not yet recruiting
- Enrolment
- 400 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- The University of The West IndiesUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 1 Apr 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion
- 31 Mar 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 31 Mar 2027 (estimated)
- First posted
- 11 Sep 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.
The purpose of this study is to identify the prevalence of neck and low back pain in nursing students enrolled at the University of the West Indies, Mona; to assess their knowledge, attitude and practice of good spine health and to determine the outcome of a standardised spine exercise program on nursing students experiencing neck and low back pain, using a prospective randomised control design.
Detailed description
Neck and low back pain are among the most common musculoskeletal conditions worldwide. Although often self-limiting, these conditions can become disabling, negatively affecting productivity, social participation, and activities of daily living. Occupational factors, prolonged sitting, sustained computer use, awkward postures, and repetitive neck movements are recognised contributors to spinal pain. Nursing students are particularly vulnerable to musculoskeletal disorders, with risk beginning during their training years. During the preclinical phase, students spend prolonged periods attending lectures, studying, and completing assignments, often involving sustained sitting and computer use. In the clinical phase, students are exposed to physically demanding tasks such as prolonged standing, ward rounds, assisting with procedures, and manual patient handling, including lifting and repositioning patients. These activities, combined with poor ergonomic practices and reduced core stability, may contribute to the development of neck and low back pain. International studies have reported a high prevalence of musculoskeletal pain among nursing and medical students, particularly during clinical training. Factors such as increased computer use, elevated body mass index, prior trauma, and family history of musculoskeletal disorders have been identified as contributing risk factors. However, no published study has investigated the prevalence of neck and low back pain among nursing students in Jamaica or the wider Caribbean. Exercise therapy is widely recognised as an effective non-pharmacologic intervention for both acute and chronic low back pain, with evidence showing improvements in pain reduction and functional outcomes. Exercise enhances muscular strength, flexibility, and spinal stability, while promoting nutrient exchange within spinal structures, supporting overall spinal health and reducing the risk of injury. This study aims to determine the prevalence of neck and low back pain among nursing students at The University of the West Indies, Mona, and to compare the effectiveness of a standardized spine-specific exercise programme versus non-spine-specific exercises in reducing pain and improving knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to spinal health. It will be conducted in two phases and guided by a descriptive and experimental framework. In the first phase, the descriptive phase, a cross-sectional design will be used to assess the prevalence of neck and low back pain (NLBP) among all year groups of nursing students at The University of the West Indies, Mona. The University of the West Indies, Mona, currently enrolls approximately 400 nursing students across four years of training. Participants will complete questionnaires to determine the presence of musculoskeletal discomfort in the neck and low back pain, as well as their knowledge, attitude, and practice related to spine health. In the second phase, the experimental phase, nursing students who report musculoskeletal discomfort will be randomised into intervention and control groups. The intervention group will participate in an eight-week spine-specific exercise program, while the control group will receive a non-spine specific exercise in parallel during the study period. Pre- and post-intervention data will be collected using the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), the Cornell Musculoskeletal Discomfort Questionnaire (CMDQ), and custom questionnaires (Questionnaires A \& B) to assess changes in assessing knowledge, attitudes and practices toward musculoskeletal health, changes in perceived pain and participants' functional status.
Participant confidentiality will be strictly maintained, with each participant assigned a study identification number. Demographic data, presenting complaints, and outcome measures will be collected for study purposes and managed securely using REDCap, a password-protected, web-based platform compliant with national data protection standards. Statistical analysis will be conducted using the International Business Machines Corporation Statistical Product and Service Solutions (IBM SPSS software), and all study records will be securely stored and destroyed three years after study completion.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Prevention
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Clinical Control (Group A) | Experimental | Behavioral: Clinical Control Group (Group A)All participants will complete the Cornell Musculoskeletal Discomfort Questionnaires (CMDQ) to assess the frequency, discomfort and interference with work due to musculoskeletal pain; the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) to assess for perceived pain; as well as Questionnaire A to assess their knowledge, attitude and practice towards musculoskeletal problems of neck or low back pain. Participants who are found to have neck or low back pain will be randomised into two (2) groups: a clinical control group (Group A) and an intervention group (Group B). Group A will be given a non-spine specific exercise program over an eight (8) week period after which time, participants will be reassessed using the CMDQ and NRS, as well as a Questionnaire B to evaluate for changes in their knowledge, attitude and practice towards musculoskeletal problems of the neck and low back pain. |
| Spine Exercise Program (Group B) | Experimental | Behavioral: Spine Exercise Program (Group B)All participants will complete the Cornell Musculoskeletal Discomfort Questionnaires (CMDQ) to assess the frequency, discomfort and interference with work due to musculoskeletal pain; the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) to assess for perceived pain; as well as Questionnaire A to assess their knowledge, attitude and practice towards musculoskeletal problems of neck or low back pain. Participants who are found to have neck or low back pain will be randomised into two (2) groups: a clinical control group (Group A) and an intervention group (Group B). Group B will be given a standardised spine-specific exercise program over an eight (8) week period, after which time they will be be reassessed using the CMDQ and NRS, as well as Questionnaire B to evaluate for changes in their knowledge, attitude and practice towards musculoskeletal problems of the neck and low back pain, having received the intervention. |
Who may qualify
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Child, Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (3 listed)
- All students enrolled in the student nursing program at the University of the West Indies, Mona Campus, Jamaica during the period October 4, 2025 to October 3, 2026.
- Individuals who express a willingness to consent to the study.
- Individuals who express a willingness to adhere to the standardised exercise program for the stipulated period.
Key exclusion criteria (3 listed)
- Individuals with a history of having spine surgery.
- Individuals who were previously diagnosed with spine pathology and currently receiving rehabilitation therapy.
- Individuals who express an unwillingness to participate in the study.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Clinical Control Group (Group A)The participants who reported the presence of neck or low back pain and were assigned to the clinical control group (Group A) after randomisation will receive a non-spine specific exercise program provided in a handout. The interventional group (Group B) will be asked to keep the standardised spine-specific exercise program confidential and not share with the control group (Group A). After eight (8) weeks, Group A participants will receive: the Cornell Musculoskeletal Discomfort Questionnaires (CMDQ) to assess for changes in the frequency, discomfort and interference with work due to musculoskeletal pain; a Questionnaire B, to ascertain any changes in their pain level using the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS); as well as their knowledge, attitude and practice towards musculoskeletal problems of the neck and low back pain. | Behavioural | Clinical Control (Group A) |
| Spine Exercise Program (Group B)The standardised spine-specific exercise program will be provided in a handout and given only to the intervention group (Group B), and will include specific spine basic neck or low back exercises to be done three (3) times per week, as well as brief stretching exercises, to be done during periods of sitting for greater than sixty (60) minutes. The selected participants will be asked to comply with instructions on the handout. Participants who experience worsening of their symptoms, or who develop new symptoms will be assessed as having an adverse outcome and will be withdrawn from the study and referred for evaluation and treatment if necessary. | Behavioural | Spine Exercise Program (Group B) |
Primary outcome
Change from Baseline in the Cornell Musculoskeletal Discomfort Questionnaire (CMDQ)
Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at eight (8) weeks
The Cornell Musculoskeletal Discomfort Questionnaire measures the frequency, discomfort and interference with work due to musculoskeletal pain, as reported by participants. The individually reported frequency score is then multiplied by the discomfort score and by the interference score to determine overall severity of pain experienced. This tallied score is then classified by severity into: no discomfort (0), mild (1 to 4.5), moderate (5 to 14), severe (15 - 45) and very severe (45 or higher). All participants will complete this assessment upon enrollment, as well as after an eight (8) week period of treatment, to evaluate any changes in their reported scores.
3 secondary outcomes
Knowledge, Attitude and Practice towards Musculoskeletal Problems of Neck and Low back Pain (Questionnaire A)
Time frame: Done at the time of enrollment (Baseline)
Change from Baseline in Knowledge, Attitude and Practice Towards Musculoskeletal Problems of Neck and Low Back Pain (Questionnaire B)
Time frame: From Enrollment to the end of treatment at 8 weeks
Change from Baseline in the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS)
Time frame: From Enrollment to the end of treatment at 8 weeks
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 24 Feb 2026.
- Results publication: PubMed 9431633O'Sullivan PB, Phyty GD, Twomey LT, Allison GT. Evaluation of specific stabilizing exercise in the treatment of chronic low back pain with radiologic diagnosis of spondylolysis or spondylolisthesis. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 1997 Dec 15;22(24):2959-67. doi: 10.1097/00007632-199712150-00020.
- Results publication: PubMed 10744172Ariens GA, van Mechelen W, Bongers PM, Bouter LM, van der Wal G. Physical risk factors for neck pain. Scand J Work Environ Health. 2000 Feb;26(1):7-19. doi: 10.5271/sjweh.504.
- Results publication: PubMed 2954190Mandel JH, Lohman W. Low back pain in nurses: the relative importance of medical history, work factors, exercise, and demographics. Res Nurs Health. 1987 Jun;10(3):165-70. doi: 10.1002/nur.4770100308.
- Results publicationLumbar/Core Strength and Stability Exercise. Athlethic Medicine.
- Results publication: PubMed 17909210Chou R, Huffman LH; American Pain Society; American College of Physicians. Nonpharmacologic therapies for acute and chronic low back pain: a review of the evidence for an American Pain Society/American College of Physicians clinical practice guideline. Ann Intern Med. 2007 Oct 2;147(7):492-504. doi: 10.7326/0003-4819-147-7-200710020-00007.
- Results publication: PubMed 19473172Smith DR, Leggat PA, Walsh LJ. Workplace hazards among Australian dental students. Aust Dent J. 2009 Jun;54(2):186-8. doi: 10.1111/j.1834-7819.2009.01116_8.x. No abstract available.
- Results publication: PubMed 20416101Lorusso A, Vimercati L, L'abbate N. Musculoskeletal complaints among Italian X-ray technology students: a cross-sectional questionnaire survey. BMC Res Notes. 2010 Apr 24;3:114. doi: 10.1186/1756-0500-3-114.
- Results publication: PubMed 15615575Smith DR, Leggat PA. Musculoskeletal disorders among rural Australian nursing students. Aust J Rural Health. 2004 Dec;12(6):241-5. doi: 10.1111/j.1440-1854.2004.00620.x.
- Results publication: PubMed 23815853Alshagga MA, Nimer AR, Yan LP, Ibrahim IA, Al-Ghamdi SS, Radman Al-Dubai SA. Prevalence and factors associated with neck, shoulder and low back pains among medical students in a Malaysian Medical College. BMC Res Notes. 2013 Jul 1;6:244. doi: 10.1186/1756-0500-6-244.
- Results publicationSolomon A, Wilson S, Meyer M, Sharma N. Prevalence of low back pain among nursing students compared to physical therapy students. International Journal of Nursing Education9(3):115, Jan 2017.
- Results publication: PubMed 16639985Smith DR, Wei N, Ishitake T, Wang RS. Musculoskeletal disorders among Chinese medical students. Kurume Med J. 2005;52(4):139-46. doi: 10.2739/kurumemedj.52.139.
- Results publication: PubMed 16736200Lis AM, Black KM, Korn H, Nordin M. Association between sitting and occupational LBP. Eur Spine J. 2007 Feb;16(2):283-98. doi: 10.1007/s00586-006-0143-7. Epub 2006 May 31.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Yes. De-identified individual participant data, including demographic data, pain scores, functional outcomes, and questionnaire responses, will be available to qualified researchers upon request for secondary analyses.
Related trials for Back Pain
RecruitingPhase 4
ESP Blocks for Posterior Spinal Fusion
Postoperative Pain
Not yet recruiting
Effects of Hip Hinge Exercises on Pain, Range of Motion and Functional Disability in Non-specific Low Back Pain.
Low Back Pain
Not yet recruiting
Effect of Lumbar Stabilization Exercises With and Without YTWL (Scapular Stabilization Exercises) on Reducing Chronic Low Back Pain and Related Disability. A Randomized Clinical Trial,
Chronic Non Specific Mechanical Low Back Pain
Not yet recruiting
Comparing Non-Medicine Strategies for Improving Low Back Pain
Chronic Low-back Pain (cLBP), High-Impact Chronic Pain (HICP)
Not yet recruiting
Effects of Whole-Body Vibration and Cervical Stabilization With Core Stabilization in Young Adults With Non-Specific Low Back Pain
Nonspecific Low Back Pain
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.
Paula U. A. Dawson, MBBS, Diplomate ABPMR contact
Paula U.A Dawson, MBBS, Diplomate ABPMR principal investigator
Division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, Mona, Jamaica.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Spine Exercise Program (Group B) in people with Back Pain and Low Back Pain, run by The University of The West Indies at 1 site in Jamaica.
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 3 inclusion and 3 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: opening soon, as of the sponsor's last update on 24 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 Jamaica. 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 Paula U. A. Dawson, MBBS, Diplomate ABPMR (1-876-927-1297 ext. Ext. 8049, paula.dawson@uwimona.edu.jm), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Change from Baseline in the Cornell Musculoskeletal Discomfort Questionnaire (CMDQ) (time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at eight (8) weeks). 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 NCT07167888, which also lists 15 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 24 Feb 2026.