Sedentary BehaviorNCT07447167
Lumbar Stabilization Exercises in Sedentary Adults
A study testing Ergonomic and Stretching Instructions and Lumbar Stabilization Exercise Program in people with Sedentary Behavior and Motor Control Impairment, run by University of West Attica at 1 site in Greece.
Trial summary
This pilot randomized controlled trial will examine the effects of a four-week lumbar spine stabilization exercise program on motor control, dynamic balance, and quality of life in healthy sedentary adults. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 65 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Sedentary Behavior, Motor Control Impairment, Quality of Life
- What is being tested?
- Ergonomic and Stretching Instructions and Lumbar Stabilization Exercise Program
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 40 participants
- Where
- 1 siteGreece
- Study dates
- Feb 2026to Mar 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 65 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Healthy adults with a sedentary lifestyle (no regular structured exercise in the past 2-3 months)
- Ability to participate in a moderate-intensity exercise program
- Ability to understand instructions and complete assessment questionnaires
Who cannot join
- Regular participation in structured exercise programs within the previous 2-3 months
- Diagnosed lumbar disc herniation with neurological deficits
- History of spinal or lower limb surgery within the past year
- Acute musculoskeletal injury or exacerbation of low back pain within the past 4 weeks
- Neurological or neuromuscular disorders
- Active inflammatory rheumatic disease
Show all 10Show fewer
- Cardiopulmonary contraindications to moderate-intensity exercise
- Pregnancy or postpartum period
- Use of medications significantly affecting balance or physical performance
- Inability to understand study instructions or comply with study procedures
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
Georgios Koumantakis, PhD contact
About this study
Official title: The Effect of a Lumbar Stabilization Exercise Program on Quality of Life and Motor Control in Sedentary Adults
This pilot randomized controlled trial will examine the effects of a four-week lumbar spine stabilization exercise program on motor control, dynamic balance, and quality of life in healthy sedentary adults. Prolonged sedentary behavior has been associated with impaired neuromuscular function and increased risk of musculoskeletal disorders, even in asymptomatic individuals.
Forty sedentary adults will be randomly assigned to either an intervention group, which will follow a structured lumbar stabilization exercise program, or to a control group, which will receive ergonomic and stretching guidelines.
Outcomes will be assessed before and after the intervention using the SF-12v2 quality of life questionnaire, the Functional Movement Screen (FMS) and the Y-Balance Test. Physical activity levels will be monitored using the IPAQ-SF. The study aims to determine whether lumbar stabilization exercises improve health-related quality of life, motor control and dynamic balance in sedentary adults.
Read the detailed description
This study will employ a two-arm parallel randomized controlled design to examine the effectiveness of a four-week lumbar stabilization intervention in sedentary adults. Participants will be randomly allocated in a 1:1 ratio to either an exercise intervention group or a control group.
To enhance measurement reliability, two baseline assessments will be conducted prior to the intervention and two post-intervention assessments will be performed after completion of the program, with a three-day interval between repeated measurements.
The stabilization program will focus on activation and progressive strengthening of the deep trunk musculature, with particular emphasis on transversus abdominis and multifidus activation. Special attention will be given to the acquisition of diaphragmatic breathing patterns to facilitate neuromuscular control. Exercises will be performed in multiple positions, including supine, side-lying, prone, and quadruped positions. The level of difficulty will be progressively increased throughout the four-week intervention period.
The control group will receive written ergonomic education and general stretching instructions without supervised exercise.
Assessments will be conducted using standardized and validated instruments to evaluate motor control, dynamic balance, and health-related quality of life. Statistical analysis will be performed using repeated-measures analysis of variance to assess within-group and between-group differences over time, with a predefined level of statistical significance set at 0.05.
- Being tested
- Ergonomic and Stretching Instructions, Lumbar Stabilization Exercise Program
- Keywords
- prevention, back pain, lumbar spine stabilization exercises, sedentary behavior, sedentary work, lack of physical activity
- Medical subject headings
- Sedentary Behavior, Back Pain
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Ergonomic and Stretching InstructionsOther
Educational booklet including ergonomic recommendations and general stretching exercises without supervised stabilization training.
Lumbar Stabilization Exercise ProgramBehavioural
A structured four-week lumbar stabilization exercise program targeting deep trunk musculature in healthy sedentary adults. The program will emphasize activation of the transversus abdominis, incorporation of diaphragmatic breathing, and progressive increase in exercise difficulty. Exercises will be performed under supervision in supine, prone, side-lying, and quadruped positions under structured guidance.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Lumbar Stabilization Exercise Group | Experimental | Structured lumbar stabilization exercise program . Receives: Behavioral: Lumbar Stabilization Exercise Program |
| Control Group | Active comparator | Ergonomic advice and general stretching exercise instructions. Receives: Other: Ergonomic and Stretching Instructions |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Short Form-12 Health Survey (SF-12v2) Scores
Health-related quality of life will be assessed using the SF-12v2 questionnaire. The eight domain scores (Physical Functioning, Role Physical, Bodily Pain, General Health, Vitality, Social Functioning, Role Emotional, and Mental Health) as well as the Physical Component Summary (PCS) and Mental Component Summary (MCS) scores will be calculated. Domain scores will be transformed to a 0-100 scale, with higher scores indicating better perceived health status. PCS and MCS will be computed using norm-based scoring (mean = 50, SD = 10), where higher values reflect better overall physical and mental health.
Measured: Baseline and 4 weeks (post-intervention)
Secondary outcomes (2)
Y-Balance Test Composite Score
Dynamic balance will be assessed using the Y-balance test. The composite approach distance for each lower limb will be calculated as:
(ANT + PM + PL approach distance) / (3 × limb length) × 100. The composite score is expressed as a percentage of limb length. Minimum value: 0%. Maximum value: 100% (theoretically may exceed 100% in high-performing individuals). Higher values indicate better dynamic balance.
[Time frame: Baseline and 4 weeks (after intervention)] Asymmetry will be calculated as the absolute difference between right and left normalized reach distances (% of limb length).
Minimum value: 0%. No fixed maximum value. Higher values indicate greater asymmetry.
Measured: Baseline and 4 weeks (post-intervention)
Functional Movement Screen (FMS) Total Score
Motor control will be assessed using the Functional Movement Screen (FMS). Higher scores indicate better motor control and movement quality. The total score ranges from 0 to 21 for the 7 functional test.
Measured: Baseline and 4 weeks (post-intervention)
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted3 Mar 2026
- Study startFeb 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completionMar 2026 (estimated)
- Study completionMar 2026 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Sedentary BehaviorStudies 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
- Model description
- Two-arm parallel randomized controlled trial. Participants will be randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to either a lumbar stabilization exercise group or a control group receiving ergonomic and stretching instructions. Assessments will be conducted at baseline and post-intervention.
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 40 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- University of West Attica
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Dimitra Korda, University of West Attica
- Investigators
- Georgios Koumantakis, PhD, Study chair, University of West Attica
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07447167
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- UWestAttica-LSE-116235
- Other IDs
- 116235/12-11-2025
- Status last verified
- Mar 2026
- First submitted
- 25 Feb 2026
- Last updated
- 4 Mar 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 related to study outcomes and basic demographic characteristics will be made available upon reasonable request and subject to institutional approval.
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 4 Mar 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- The Effect of a Lumbar Stabilization Exercise Program on Quality of Life and Motor Control in Sedentary Adults
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07447167
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- UWestAttica-LSE-116235
- Keywords
- prevention, back pain, lumbar spine stabilization exercises, sedentary behavior, sedentary work, lack of physical activity
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Not yet recruiting
- Enrolment
- 40 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- University of West AtticaUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- Feb 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion
- Mar 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion
- Mar 2026 (estimated)
- First posted
- 3 Mar 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.
This pilot randomized controlled trial will examine the effects of a four-week lumbar spine stabilization exercise program on motor control, dynamic balance, and quality of life in healthy sedentary adults. Prolonged sedentary behavior has been associated with impaired neuromuscular function and increased risk of musculoskeletal disorders, even in asymptomatic individuals.
Forty sedentary adults will be randomly assigned to either an intervention group, which will follow a structured lumbar stabilization exercise program, or to a control group, which will receive ergonomic and stretching guidelines.
Outcomes will be assessed before and after the intervention using the SF-12v2 quality of life questionnaire, the Functional Movement Screen (FMS) and the Y-Balance Test. Physical activity levels will be monitored using the IPAQ-SF. The study aims to determine whether lumbar stabilization exercises improve health-related quality of life, motor control and dynamic balance in sedentary adults.
Detailed description
This study will employ a two-arm parallel randomized controlled design to examine the effectiveness of a four-week lumbar stabilization intervention in sedentary adults. Participants will be randomly allocated in a 1:1 ratio to either an exercise intervention group or a control group.
To enhance measurement reliability, two baseline assessments will be conducted prior to the intervention and two post-intervention assessments will be performed after completion of the program, with a three-day interval between repeated measurements.
The stabilization program will focus on activation and progressive strengthening of the deep trunk musculature, with particular emphasis on transversus abdominis and multifidus activation. Special attention will be given to the acquisition of diaphragmatic breathing patterns to facilitate neuromuscular control. Exercises will be performed in multiple positions, including supine, side-lying, prone, and quadruped positions. The level of difficulty will be progressively increased throughout the four-week intervention period.
The control group will receive written ergonomic education and general stretching instructions without supervised exercise.
Assessments will be conducted using standardized and validated instruments to evaluate motor control, dynamic balance, and health-related quality of life. Statistical analysis will be performed using repeated-measures analysis of variance to assess within-group and between-group differences over time, with a predefined level of statistical significance set at 0.05.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Prevention
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 2
- Model description
- Two-arm parallel randomized controlled trial. Participants will be randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to either a lumbar stabilization exercise group or a control group receiving ergonomic and stretching instructions. Assessments will be conducted at baseline and post-intervention.
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Lumbar Stabilization Exercise Group | Experimental | Behavioral: Lumbar Stabilization Exercise ProgramStructured lumbar stabilization exercise program . |
| Control Group | Active comparator | Other: Ergonomic and Stretching InstructionsErgonomic advice and general stretching exercise instructions. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 65 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (3 listed)
- Healthy adults with a sedentary lifestyle (no regular structured exercise in the past 2-3 months)
Key exclusion criteria (10 listed)
- Regular participation in structured exercise programs within the previous 2-3 months
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Ergonomic and Stretching InstructionsEducational booklet including ergonomic recommendations and general stretching exercises without supervised stabilization training. | Other | Control Group |
| Lumbar Stabilization Exercise ProgramA structured four-week lumbar stabilization exercise program targeting deep trunk musculature in healthy sedentary adults. The program will emphasize activation of the transversus abdominis, incorporation of diaphragmatic breathing, and progressive increase in exercise difficulty. Exercises will be performed under supervision in supine, prone, side-lying, and quadruped positions under structured guidance. | Behavioural | Lumbar Stabilization Exercise Group |
Primary outcome
Short Form-12 Health Survey (SF-12v2) Scores
Time frame: Baseline and 4 weeks (post-intervention)
Health-related quality of life will be assessed using the SF-12v2 questionnaire. The eight domain scores (Physical Functioning, Role Physical, Bodily Pain, General Health, Vitality, Social Functioning, Role Emotional, and Mental Health) as well as the Physical Component Summary (PCS) and Mental Component Summary (MCS) scores will be calculated. Domain scores will be transformed to a 0-100 scale, with higher scores indicating better perceived health status. PCS and MCS will be computed using norm-based scoring (mean = 50, SD = 10), where higher values reflect better overall physical and mental health.
2 secondary outcomes
Y-Balance Test Composite Score
Time frame: Baseline and 4 weeks (post-intervention)
Functional Movement Screen (FMS) Total Score
Time frame: Baseline and 4 weeks (post-intervention)
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 4 Mar 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Yes. De-identified individual participant data related to study outcomes and basic demographic characteristics will be made available upon reasonable request and subject to institutional approval.
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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.
Georgios Koumantakis, PhD contact
Georgios Koumantakis, PhD study chair
University of West Attica
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Ergonomic and Stretching Instructions and Lumbar Stabilization Exercise Program in people with Sedentary Behavior and Motor Control Impairment, run by University of West Attica at 1 site in Greece.
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 10 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 4 Mar 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 Greece. 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 Dimitra Korda, PT (+306938441422, dimitracorda@gmail.com), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Short Form-12 Health Survey (SF-12v2) Scores (time frame: Baseline and 4 weeks (post-intervention)). 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 4 Mar 2026.