MECHANICAL BACK PAINNCT07323836
Effect Of Mckenzie Exercises On Postural Stability In Mechanical Back Pain Patients With Prolonged Sitting Posture
A study testing mckenzie exercises in people with MECHANICAL BACK PAIN, run by Cairo University at 1 site in Egypt.
Trial summary
Postural stability is a complex sensorimotor process that depends on the integration of visual, vestibular, and somatosensory inputs, and its impairment increases the risk of falls and negatively affects quality of life. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 35 years
- Conditions the study is for
- MECHANICAL BACK PAIN
- What is being tested?
- mckenzie exercises
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 40 participants
- Where
- 1 siteEgypt
- Study dates
- 5 Oct 2025to 25 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 18 to 35 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- • patients with mechanical Low back pain aged 18 - 35 years.
- patients who spend at least 6 hours daily sitting (in office, at home, or screen time).
- patients who feel some sort of discomfort and pain after prolonged sitting.
- Patients with flat lumbar curves.
- patients have not received any physical therapy or medications in the last six months.
- Subjects with normal body mass index (BMI) from 18.5-24.9 kg/m2
Who cannot join
- • patients with known neurological disorders or balance disorders.
- patients who engage in regular physical activity exceeding 150 minutes per week (as this could influence balance).
- patients who do not sit for prolonged periods of time habitually.
- Major structural spinal deformities (scoliosis or stenosis) inflammatory diseases
- Sequestered hernias.
- History of spinal surgery.
- Lower limb and pelvis deformities e.g. Leg length discrepancy
- patients have Severe medical or psychiatric disorders
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Postural stability is a complex sensorimotor process that depends on the integration of visual, vestibular, and somatosensory inputs, and its impairment increases the risk of falls and negatively affects quality of life.
Prolonged sitting and low physical activity negatively influence postural stability, whereas regular physical activity has a positive chronic effect, despite some exercises causing temporary instability due to fatigue.
Breaking up sitting time with light walking or active workstations may improve postural stability, and this study aims to evaluate the effects of McKenzie back extension exercises on postural stability, pain, and quality of life in individuals with mechanical back pain.
Read the detailed description
Maintaining postural stability is a sensorimotor process that involves the functional integration of sensory afferent information from the visual, vestibular, and somatosensory systems, central processing of this sensory input, and the selection of appropriate motor responses. Impaired postural stability is a major risk factor for falls and can negatively influence social interaction and mental health, particularly in older adults.
Impairment in lumbar repositioning sense, referred to as lumbar repositioning error (LRPE), may lead to poor postural habits, loss of neutral spine alignment, and reduced mechanical efficiency of the trunk muscles. Proprioception is considered the most critical sensory system for maintaining postural stability, especially under normal fixed-surface conditions. Low levels of physical activity have also been associated with an increased risk of falls, even in younger adults.
Because physical activity influences all levels of the sensorimotor system, postural stability represents an important health variable for understanding the effects of prolonged sitting. While even low-intensity physical activity may cause a short-term reduction in postural stability, regular physical activity has a positive long-term effect. Exercise impacts sensory input, central processing, and motor output, although fatigue from endurance activities can acutely reduce postural stability.
Prolonged sitting is common in modern desk-based occupations, and lack of time is a major barrier to interrupting sedentary behavior. Active workstations, such as standing desks and treadmill desks, offer a practical way to integrate physical activity into the workday and have demonstrated benefits for body composition, metabolic health, quality of life, work performance, and cognition.
Breaking up prolonged sitting with light-intensity treadmill desk walking has been shown to improve postural stability by reducing mediolateral and anteroposterior center of pressure sway. These findings suggest that treadmill desks or regular walking breaks may provide additional neuromuscular benefits beyond general health improvements. In contrast, interrupting prolonged sitting with short bouts of bodyweight resistance exercises may produce some physiological benefits but can negatively affect postural stability.
Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the effects of McKenzie back extension exercises on postural stability, pain, and quality of life in individuals with mechanical low back pain who engage in prolonged sitting, such as office workers, computer engineers, and college students, with potential implications for both physical well-being and functional performance.
- Conditions
- MECHANICAL BACK PAIN
- Being tested
- mckenzie exercises
- Keywords
- MCKENZIE EXERCISES, POSTURAL STABILITY, MECHANICAL BACK PAIN, PROLONGED SITTING POSTURE
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
mckenzie exercisesOther
Also called traditional physiotherapy program
they will receive traditional physiotherapy program (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, heat therapy, ultrasound and strengthening exercises) plus Mckenzie
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Mckenzie exercise | Experimental | this group will receive traditional physiotherapy program plus, Exercise 1 lying prone the patient adopts the prone lying position with the arms alongside the trunk and the head turns to one side. Exercise 2 lying prone in extension places the elbows under the shoulders and raises the top half of his body so that he comes to lean on elbows and forearms while pelvis and thighs remain on the couch. .Exercise 3 extension in lying the patient, already lying prone, places the hands (palms down) near the shoulders as for the traditional press-up exercise. and the exercise is repeated about ten times.Exercise 4 extension in standing the patient stands with the feet well apart and place the hands (fingers pointing backwards) in the small of the back across the belt line. He leans backwards as far as possible, using the hands as a fulcrum, and then returns to neutral standing. The exercise is repeated about ten times. Receives: Other: mckenzie exercises |
| traditional physiotherapy program | Active comparator | traditional physiotherapy program is composed of 1-TENS:pulse frequencies>250 pulses per second (pps), pulse durations>500 microseconds (µs) and peak-to-peak amplitudes>60 milliamperes (mA), pulse frequency from 0.7 to 108 Hz and a pulse width of 100 μs. Intensity level was instructed to be as high as tolerable.2-Hot pack: heated wrap applied for eight hours, or an electric blanket applied for 25 minutes, and at (104 -113) degree Fahrenheit.3-Ultrasound : 1 or 3 MHz and at amplitude densities between 0.1 W/cm² and 3 W/cm².pulsed.4-strengthening exercises: The exercise program includes a warm-up session (awareness of the back, pelvic tilt, whole-body movement in standing), back extensors, posterior buttocks, abdominals, lateral buttocks, leg muscles, as well as exercises for flexibility. Exercise will be at 60-70% of one repetition maximum (RM), held for 30 s and repeated 2-4 time. Receives: Other: mckenzie exercises |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
postural stability
postural stability will be measured by Biodex Balance System SD
Measured: up to 6 weeks
pain intensity
pain intensity will be measured by VAS. A horizontal line, 100 mm in length, anchored by word descriptors at each end. The patient marks on the line the point that they feel represents their perception of their current state.
Measured: up to 6 weeks
Secondary outcomes (3)
short form 36 health survey questionnaire (SF-36)
short form health survey with only 36 questions it yields an 8-scale profile of functional health and well-being scores
Measured: up to 6 weeks
Arabic sedentary behaviors questionnaire (ASBQ)
ASBQ included a total of 16 questions providing overall as well as specific SB estimates during a variety of sedentary activities while covering leisure-time activities, work, transport, household seated activities, reading, chatting, and listening to religious verses or music.
Measured: up to 6 weeks
lumbar lordotic curve by using Kinovea software program
The subjects stand sideways and barefoot on the back of the calibration plane with shoulders and elbows at 90°-flexion, The angle of the intersection of the lines was measured by Kinovea and decreases from 180°. The calculated angle was reported as the lordosis angle
Measured: up to 6 weeks
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted7 Jan 2026
- Study start5 Oct 2025
- Primary completion5 Jan 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion25 Jan 2026 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for MECHANICAL BACK PAINStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Cairo 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
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Model description
- Mackenzie exercises vs traditional physiotherapy program
- Masking
- Double blind
- Who is masked
- Participant, Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 40 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Cairo University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Mohamed Samir Gomaa Shahat, Cairo University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07323836
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- P.T.REC/012/006115
- Status last verified
- Dec 2025
- First submitted
- 23 Dec 2025
- Last updated
- 7 Jan 2026
- Results posted
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 7 Jan 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Effect Of Mckenzie Exercises On Postural Stability In Mechanical Back Pain Patients With Prolonged Sitting Posture
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07323836
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- P.T.REC/012/006115
- Conditions
- MECHANICAL BACK PAIN
- Keywords
- MCKENZIE EXERCISES, POSTURAL STABILITY, MECHANICAL BACK PAIN, PROLONGED SITTING POSTURE
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Active, not recruiting
- Enrolment
- 40 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Cairo UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 5 Oct 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 5 Jan 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 25 Jan 2026 (estimated)
- First posted
- 7 Jan 2026 (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.
Postural stability is a complex sensorimotor process that depends on the integration of visual, vestibular, and somatosensory inputs, and its impairment increases the risk of falls and negatively affects quality of life.
Prolonged sitting and low physical activity negatively influence postural stability, whereas regular physical activity has a positive chronic effect, despite some exercises causing temporary instability due to fatigue.
Breaking up sitting time with light walking or active workstations may improve postural stability, and this study aims to evaluate the effects of McKenzie back extension exercises on postural stability, pain, and quality of life in individuals with mechanical back pain.
Detailed description
Maintaining postural stability is a sensorimotor process that involves the functional integration of sensory afferent information from the visual, vestibular, and somatosensory systems, central processing of this sensory input, and the selection of appropriate motor responses. Impaired postural stability is a major risk factor for falls and can negatively influence social interaction and mental health, particularly in older adults.
Impairment in lumbar repositioning sense, referred to as lumbar repositioning error (LRPE), may lead to poor postural habits, loss of neutral spine alignment, and reduced mechanical efficiency of the trunk muscles. Proprioception is considered the most critical sensory system for maintaining postural stability, especially under normal fixed-surface conditions. Low levels of physical activity have also been associated with an increased risk of falls, even in younger adults.
Because physical activity influences all levels of the sensorimotor system, postural stability represents an important health variable for understanding the effects of prolonged sitting. While even low-intensity physical activity may cause a short-term reduction in postural stability, regular physical activity has a positive long-term effect. Exercise impacts sensory input, central processing, and motor output, although fatigue from endurance activities can acutely reduce postural stability.
Prolonged sitting is common in modern desk-based occupations, and lack of time is a major barrier to interrupting sedentary behavior. Active workstations, such as standing desks and treadmill desks, offer a practical way to integrate physical activity into the workday and have demonstrated benefits for body composition, metabolic health, quality of life, work performance, and cognition.
Breaking up prolonged sitting with light-intensity treadmill desk walking has been shown to improve postural stability by reducing mediolateral and anteroposterior center of pressure sway. These findings suggest that treadmill desks or regular walking breaks may provide additional neuromuscular benefits beyond general health improvements. In contrast, interrupting prolonged sitting with short bouts of bodyweight resistance exercises may produce some physiological benefits but can negatively affect postural stability.
Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the effects of McKenzie back extension exercises on postural stability, pain, and quality of life in individuals with mechanical low back pain who engage in prolonged sitting, such as office workers, computer engineers, and college students, with potential implications for both physical well-being and functional performance.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Double blind (participant, outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
- Model description
- Mackenzie exercises vs traditional physiotherapy program
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Mckenzie exercise | Experimental | Other: mckenzie exercisesthis group will receive traditional physiotherapy program plus, Exercise 1 lying prone the patient adopts the prone lying position with the arms alongside the trunk and the head turns to one side. Exercise 2 lying prone in extension places the elbows under the shoulders and raises the top half of his body so that he comes to lean on elbows and forearms while pelvis and thighs remain on the couch. .Exercise 3 extension in lying the patient, already lying prone, places the hands (palms down) near the shoulders as for the traditional press-up exercise. and the exercise is repeated about ten times.Exercise 4 extension in standing the patient stands with the feet well apart and place the hands (fingers pointing backwards) in the small of the back across the belt line. He leans backwards as far as possible, using the hands as a fulcrum, and then returns to neutral standing. The exercise is repeated about ten times. |
| traditional physiotherapy program | Active comparator | Other: mckenzie exercisestraditional physiotherapy program is composed of 1-TENS:pulse frequencies>250 pulses per second (pps), pulse durations>500 microseconds (µs) and peak-to-peak amplitudes>60 milliamperes (mA), pulse frequency from 0.7 to 108 Hz and a pulse width of 100 μs. Intensity level was instructed to be as high as tolerable.2-Hot pack: heated wrap applied for eight hours, or an electric blanket applied for 25 minutes, and at (104 -113) degree Fahrenheit.3-Ultrasound : 1 or 3 MHz and at amplitude densities between 0.1 W/cm² and 3 W/cm².pulsed.4-strengthening exercises: The exercise program includes a warm-up session (awareness of the back, pelvic tilt, whole-body movement in standing), back extensors, posterior buttocks, abdominals, lateral buttocks, leg muscles, as well as exercises for flexibility. Exercise will be at 60-70% of one repetition maximum (RM), held for 30 s and repeated 2-4 time. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 35 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (6 listed)
- • patients with mechanical Low back pain aged 18 - 35 years.
Key exclusion criteria (8 listed)
- • patients with known neurological disorders or balance disorders.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| mckenzie exercisesAlso: traditional physiotherapy programthey will receive traditional physiotherapy program (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, heat therapy, ultrasound and strengthening exercises) plus Mckenzie | Other | Mckenzie exercise, traditional physiotherapy program |
Primary outcome
postural stability
Time frame: up to 6 weeks
postural stability will be measured by Biodex Balance System SD
pain intensity
Time frame: up to 6 weeks
pain intensity will be measured by VAS. A horizontal line, 100 mm in length, anchored by word descriptors at each end. The patient marks on the line the point that they feel represents their perception of their current state.
3 secondary outcomes
short form 36 health survey questionnaire (SF-36)
Time frame: up to 6 weeks
Arabic sedentary behaviors questionnaire (ASBQ)
Time frame: up to 6 weeks
lumbar lordotic curve by using Kinovea software program
Time frame: up to 6 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 7 Jan 2026.
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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.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing mckenzie exercises in people with MECHANICAL BACK PAIN, run by Cairo University at 1 site in Egypt.
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 8 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: under way, not looking for participants, as of the sponsor's last update on 7 Jan 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 Egypt. 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?
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?
postural stability (time frame: up to 6 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?
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 7 Jan 2026.