Child, OnlyNCT07248514
Effect of Pillates on Children With Backpack Syndrome
A study testing Pilates exercise and General Stretching exercises in people with Child, Only, run by Riphah International University at 1 site in Pakistan.
Trial summary
This randomized clinical trial focuses on a sample of 139 of children diagnosed with backpack syndrome, assessing both subjective pain levels and objective measures of trunk muscle endurance before and after a structured Pilates intervention. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 12 to 16 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Child, Only
- What is being tested?
- Pilates exercise and General Stretching exercises
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 140 participants
- Where
- 1 sitePakistan
- Study dates
- 27 Oct 2025to 30 Jan 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 12 to 16 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Child
Who may be able to join
- Children aged 12-16 years.
- Being Systemically healthy
- Being physically active and participating in ordinary assessments(4)
- Children with musculoskeletal backpain
- Children with hyper thoracic kyphosis i.e. excessive antero-posterior curvature of the thoracic spine of greater than 40°
- Children complaining about low back pain
Who cannot join
- Children with a history of severe musculoskeletal conditions (e.g., scoliosis, fractures, or surgery).
- Any neurological disorders or developmental conditions affecting motor function
- Children with cardiological, metabolic or rheumatic illness
- Children with no complaints of low back pain and postural instability.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
Pakistan1 site, 1 recruiting
- Recruiting
Imran Amjad
Lahore, Punjab Province, 5400
Muhmmad Asif Javed, MS, 033224209422, a.javed@ripah.edu.pk
Muhammad Farooqi, MS-PT, 03367129899, m.faruki97@gmail.com
About this study
Official title: Effects of Pilates on Pain and Trunk Muscle Endurance in Children With Backpack Syndrome
This randomized clinical trial focuses on a sample of 139 of children diagnosed with backpack syndrome, assessing both subjective pain levels and objective measures of trunk muscle endurance before and after a structured Pilates intervention. The Pilates regimen is designed to strengthen core muscles, improve flexibility, and promote better posture, all of which are critical for mitigating the adverse effects associated with heavy backpack use.Data will be collected from North Star School Allama Iqbal town,Lahore,Standard Grammar School, Allama iqbal town ,Kips School, Allama iqbal town,Ali School System, Allama Iqbal Town Using standardized pain assessment scales(VAS) and endurance tests(Modified Biering-Sørensen Test), the effect of pilates on pain and trunk endurance will concluded and the data will analysed with spss 23
Read the detailed description
The research titled "Effects of Pilates on Pain and Trunk Muscle Endurance in Children with Backpack Syndrome" investigates the impact of Pilates exercises on alleviating pain and enhancing trunk muscle endurance in children affected by backpack syndrome. Backpack syndrome refers to musculoskeletal discomfort resulting from improper backpack use, often seen in school-aged children who carry heavy loads, leading to poor posture and potential long-term health issues.
This randomized clinical trial focuses on a sample of 139 of children diagnosed with backpack syndrome, assessing both subjective pain levels and objective measures of trunk muscle endurance before and after a structured Pilates intervention. The Pilates regimen is designed to strengthen core muscles, improve flexibility, and promote better posture, all of which are critical for mitigating the adverse effects associated with heavy backpack use.Data will be collected from North Star School Allama Iqbal town,Lahore,Standard Grammar School, Allama iqbal town ,Kips School, Allama iqbal town,Ali School System, Allama Iqbal Town Using standardized pain assessment scales(VAS) and endurance tests(Modified Biering-Sørensen Test), the effect of pilates on pain and trunk endurance will concluded and the data will analysed with spss 23.
- Conditions
- Child, Only
- Being tested
- Pilates exercise, General Stretching exercises
- Keywords
- Pilates, Modified Biering-Sørensen Test
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Pilates exerciseOther
The exercise program will be performed twice a week for 12 weeks changing the exercises for every four weeks. Pilates exercises will consist of four exercises which are selected from original Pilates plan (month 1: rolling back, one leg stretch, shoulder bridge and the push up; month 2: the hundred, one leg stretch, the leg pull and one leg circle; month 3: roll up, scissors, swimming and one leg stretch) (4)
General Stretching exercisesOther
Group B will perform routine physical therapy (RPT) alone. These routine exercises will consist of stretching exercises adding some games, stretching and relaxation exercises at the end. i,e stretching exercises, posture training, and spinal flexibility exercises
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Group A | Active comparator | Interventional group Receives: Other: Pilates exercise |
| Group B | Active comparator | Experimental group Receives: Other: General Stretching exercises |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Visual Analouge Scale
The Visual Analog Scale (VAS) is a tool used to measure subjective characteristics or attitudes that cannot be directly measured, commonly used in pain assessment. The scale is often represented as a horizontal line, typically 10 cm in length, anchored by terms at each end that represent extremes of the sensation being measured
Measured: 12 weeks
Modified Biering-Sørensen
The Modified Biering-Sørensen Test is an adaptation of the original Biering-Sørensen test, used to assess endurance in the muscles of the lower back, particularly the lumbar extensor muscles. The test measures how long a person can hold a specific static position, which helps evaluate core strength and endurance.
Measured: 12 weeks
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted25 Nov 2025
- Study start27 Oct 2025
- Primary completion25 Jan 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion30 Jan 2026 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (1)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Child, OnlyStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Riphah International UniversityThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- 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
- Other
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Model description
- This randomized clinical trial focuses on a sample of 140 of children diagnosed with backpack syndrome, assessing both subjective pain levels and objective measures of trunk muscle endurance before and after a structured Pilates intervention. The Pilates regimen is designed to strengthen core muscles, improve flexibility, and promote better posture, all of which are critical for mitigating the adverse effects associated with heavy backpack use.Data will be collected from North Star School Allama Iqbal town,Lahore,Standard Grammar School, Allama iqbal town ,Kips School, Allama iqbal town,Ali School System, Allama Iqbal Town Using standardized pain assessment scales(VAS) and endurance tests(Modified Biering-Sørensen Test), the effect of pilates on pain and trunk endurance will concluded and the data will analysed with spss 23.
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Participant
- Enrolment
- 140 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Riphah International University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Muhammad Farooqi, MS-PT, Principal investigator, Riphah International University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07248514
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- REC/RCR&AHS/MUHAMMADFAROOQI
- Status last verified
- Nov 2025
- First submitted
- 18 Nov 2025
- Last updated
- 25 Nov 2025
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- Yes
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Publications
Gonzalez-Galvez N, Vaquero-Cristobal R, Marcos-Pardo PJ. Effect of Pilates Method on muscular trunk endurance and hamstring extensibility in adolescents during twelve weeks training and detraining. J Bodyw Mov Ther. 2020 Apr;24(2):11-17. doi: 10.1016/j.jbmt.2020.02.002. Epub 2020 Feb 21.
PubMed 32507135
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 25 Nov 2025. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Effects of Pilates on Pain and Trunk Muscle Endurance in Children With Backpack Syndrome
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07248514
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- REC/RCR&AHS/MUHAMMADFAROOQI
- Conditions
- Child, Only
- Keywords
- Pilates, Modified Biering-Sørensen Test
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Enrolment
- 140 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Riphah International UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 27 Oct 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 25 Jan 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 30 Jan 2026 (estimated)
- First posted
- 25 Nov 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 randomized clinical trial focuses on a sample of 139 of children diagnosed with backpack syndrome, assessing both subjective pain levels and objective measures of trunk muscle endurance before and after a structured Pilates intervention. The Pilates regimen is designed to strengthen core muscles, improve flexibility, and promote better posture, all of which are critical for mitigating the adverse effects associated with heavy backpack use.Data will be collected from North Star School Allama Iqbal town,Lahore,Standard Grammar School, Allama iqbal town ,Kips School, Allama iqbal town,Ali School System, Allama Iqbal Town Using standardized pain assessment scales(VAS) and endurance tests(Modified Biering-Sørensen Test), the effect of pilates on pain and trunk endurance will concluded and the data will analysed with spss 23
Detailed description
The research titled "Effects of Pilates on Pain and Trunk Muscle Endurance in Children with Backpack Syndrome" investigates the impact of Pilates exercises on alleviating pain and enhancing trunk muscle endurance in children affected by backpack syndrome. Backpack syndrome refers to musculoskeletal discomfort resulting from improper backpack use, often seen in school-aged children who carry heavy loads, leading to poor posture and potential long-term health issues.
This randomized clinical trial focuses on a sample of 139 of children diagnosed with backpack syndrome, assessing both subjective pain levels and objective measures of trunk muscle endurance before and after a structured Pilates intervention. The Pilates regimen is designed to strengthen core muscles, improve flexibility, and promote better posture, all of which are critical for mitigating the adverse effects associated with heavy backpack use.Data will be collected from North Star School Allama Iqbal town,Lahore,Standard Grammar School, Allama iqbal town ,Kips School, Allama iqbal town,Ali School System, Allama Iqbal Town Using standardized pain assessment scales(VAS) and endurance tests(Modified Biering-Sørensen Test), the effect of pilates on pain and trunk endurance will concluded and the data will analysed with spss 23.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Other
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (participant)
- Number of arms
- 2
- Model description
- This randomized clinical trial focuses on a sample of 140 of children diagnosed with backpack syndrome, assessing both subjective pain levels and objective measures of trunk muscle endurance before and after a structured Pilates intervention. The Pilates regimen is designed to strengthen core muscles, improve flexibility, and promote better posture, all of which are critical for mitigating the adverse effects associated with heavy backpack use.Data will be collected from North Star School Allama Iqbal town,Lahore,Standard Grammar School, Allama iqbal town ,Kips School, Allama iqbal town,Ali School System, Allama Iqbal Town Using standardized pain assessment scales(VAS) and endurance tests(Modified Biering-Sørensen Test), the effect of pilates on pain and trunk endurance will concluded and the data will analysed with spss 23.
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Group A | Active comparator | Other: Pilates exerciseInterventional group |
| Group B | Active comparator | Other: General Stretching exercisesExperimental group |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 12 to 16 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Child
Key inclusion criteria (6 listed)
- Children aged 12-16 years.
- Being Systemically healthy
- Being physically active and participating in ordinary assessments(4)
- Children with musculoskeletal backpain
- Children with hyper thoracic kyphosis i.e. excessive antero-posterior curvature of the thoracic spine of greater than 40°
Key exclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Children with a history of severe musculoskeletal conditions (e.g., scoliosis, fractures, or surgery).
- Any neurological disorders or developmental conditions affecting motor function
- Children with cardiological, metabolic or rheumatic illness
- Children with no complaints of low back pain and postural instability.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Pilates exerciseThe exercise program will be performed twice a week for 12 weeks changing the exercises for every four weeks. Pilates exercises will consist of four exercises which are selected from original Pilates plan (month 1: rolling back, one leg stretch, shoulder bridge and the push up; month 2: the hundred, one leg stretch, the leg pull and one leg circle; month 3: roll up, scissors, swimming and one leg stretch) (4) | Other | Group A |
| General Stretching exercisesGroup B will perform routine physical therapy (RPT) alone. These routine exercises will consist of stretching exercises adding some games, stretching and relaxation exercises at the end. i,e stretching exercises, posture training, and spinal flexibility exercises | Other | Group B |
Primary outcome
Visual Analouge Scale
Time frame: 12 weeks
The Visual Analog Scale (VAS) is a tool used to measure subjective characteristics or attitudes that cannot be directly measured, commonly used in pain assessment. The scale is often represented as a horizontal line, typically 10 cm in length, anchored by terms at each end that represent extremes of the sensation being measured
Modified Biering-Sørensen
Time frame: 12 weeks
The Modified Biering-Sørensen Test is an adaptation of the original Biering-Sørensen test, used to assess endurance in the muscles of the lower back, particularly the lumbar extensor muscles. The test measures how long a person can hold a specific static position, which helps evaluate core strength and endurance.
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 25 Nov 2025.
- Background: PubMed 32507135Gonzalez-Galvez N, Vaquero-Cristobal R, Marcos-Pardo PJ. Effect of Pilates Method on muscular trunk endurance and hamstring extensibility in adolescents during twelve weeks training and detraining. J Bodyw Mov Ther. 2020 Apr;24(2):11-17. doi: 10.1016/j.jbmt.2020.02.002. Epub 2020 Feb 21.
- 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.
Muhammad Farooqi, MS-PT 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 Pilates exercise and General Stretching exercises in people with Child, Only, 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 6 inclusion and 4 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 25 Nov 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 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?
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 Imran Amjad, PhD (9233224390125, imran.amjad@riphah.edu.pk), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Visual Analouge Scale (time frame: 12 weeks). The study lists 2 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 NCT07248514, which also lists 1 linked publication.
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 Nov 2025.