Mechanical Low Back PainNCT07495475
Mobile App-Supported Exercise Program For Mechanical Low Back Pain
A study testing Mobile Application-Supported Home Exercise Program and Printed Home Exercise Program in people with Mechanical Low Back Pain, run by Karabuk University.
Trial summary
Mechanical low back pain is one of the most common musculoskeletal disorders affecting daily activities and quality of life. Home exercise programs are frequently recommended in the management of low back pain; however, adherence to these programs is often limited. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 65 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Mechanical Low Back Pain
- What is being tested?
- Mobile Application-Supported Home Exercise Program and Printed Home Exercise Program
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 50 participants
- Where
- No sites listed yet
- Study dates
- 1 Apr 2026to 1 Jul 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
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Individuals aged between 18 and 65 years
- Diagnosis of chronic mechanical low back pain lasting longer than 3 months
- Ability to use a smartphone or mobile device
- Willingness to participate in the study and provide informed consent
Who cannot join
- Cauda equina syndrome
- Long-term corticosteroid use
- Presence of focal neurological deficits associated with disability
- Previous spinal surgery
- Severe neurological or systemic disorders affecting mobility
Trial locations and contacts
No sites are listed yet. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
About this study
Official title: Effect of a Mobile Application-Supported Home Exercise Program on Posture, Balance, Pain and Functionality in Individuals With Mechanical Low Back Pain
Mechanical low back pain is one of the most common musculoskeletal disorders affecting daily activities and quality of life. Home exercise programs are frequently recommended in the management of low back pain; however, adherence to these programs is often limited. Mobile health applications may enhance adherence by providing exercise demonstrations, reminders, and monitoring tools.
The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of a mobile application-supported home exercise program on posture, balance, pain, and functional status in individuals with mechanical low back pain. Participants with chronic mechanical low back pain will be randomly assigned to two groups. Both groups will receive the same home exercise program. The control group will receive the exercises in printed format, while the experimental group will follow the program through the E-Exercise mobile application that includes exercise videos, reminders, and progress tracking.
Participants will be evaluated before the intervention and after six weeks of exercise training. Outcome measures will include flexibility, posture, balance, pain intensity, and functional disability. The results of this study may contribute to improving adherence to home exercise programs and promoting the use of digital health technologies in physiotherapy practice.
Read the detailed description
Mechanical low back pain is a common musculoskeletal condition that may negatively affect posture, balance, pain perception, physical function, and quality of life. Home exercise programs are widely used in physiotherapy for the management of mechanical low back pain because they are practical, accessible, and cost-effective. However, poor adherence to home exercise programs and difficulties in performing exercises correctly may reduce treatment effectiveness.
This study is designed to investigate whether a mobile application-supported home exercise program provides additional benefits compared with a conventional printed home exercise program in individuals with chronic mechanical low back pain. The mobile application developed for this study, called E-Exercise, includes video-based exercise instructions, reminder notifications, and an exercise tracking component that allows participants to mark completed exercises. These features are intended to improve exercise adherence and support correct exercise performance at home.
A total of 50 participants with chronic mechanical low back pain will be randomly assigned to either the experimental group or the control group. Both groups will receive the same exercise content prepared by a physiotherapist and will perform the exercises 3 days per week for 6 weeks. The control group will receive the exercise program in printed form, whereas the experimental group will use the mobile application.
Participants will be evaluated before the intervention and at the end of the 6-week program. Outcome measures will include flexibility assessed by the Sit and Reach Test, Straight Leg Raise Test, and Modified Schober Test; posture assessed by PostureScreenLite; postural balance assessed by the Bertec Balance Legacy System; pain assessed by the Visual Analog Scale and Pain Catastrophizing Scale; functional disability assessed by the Oswestry Disability Index; and health-related quality of life assessed by the SF-12. This study is expected to provide evidence on whether mobile health support can improve adherence and clinical outcomes in home-based physiotherapy programs for individuals with mechanical low back pain.
- Conditions
- Mechanical Low Back Pain
- Being tested
- Mobile Application-Supported Home Exercise Program, Printed Home Exercise Program
- Keywords
- Low Back Pain, Mechanical Low Back Pain, Home Exercise Program, Mobile Health Application, Physiotherapy, Exercise Adherence
- Medical subject headings
- Low Back Pain
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Mobile Application-Supported Home Exercise ProgramBehavioural
Participants will follow a home exercise program through the E-Exercise mobile application. The application provides video demonstrations of exercises, reminder notifications, and an exercise tracking feature. Participants will perform the exercises three times per week for six weeks. The exercises are designed by a physiotherapist and aim to improve flexibility, posture, balance, pain, and functional status.
Printed Home Exercise ProgramBehavioural
Participants will receive a printed version of the same home exercise program explained by a physiotherapist. Participants will perform the exercises at home three times per week for six weeks without mobile application support.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Printed Home Exercise Program | Active comparator | Participants in this group will receive the same home exercise program in printed format. Exercises will be explained by a physiotherapist and participants will be asked to perform them at home three times per week for six weeks. Receives: Behavioral: Printed Home Exercise Program |
| Mobile Application-Supported Home Exercise | Experimental | Participants in this group will receive a home exercise program supported by the E-Exercise mobile application. The application provides video demonstrations of exercises, reminder notifications, and exercise tracking. Participants will perform the exercises three times per week for six weeks. Receives: Behavioral: Mobile Application-Supported Home Exercise Program |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Pain Intensity Measured by Visual Analog Scale (VAS)
Pain intensity will be assessed using a 10-cm Visual Analog Scale, where 0 indicates no pain and 10 indicates worst possible pain.
Measured: Baseline and 6 weeks
Secondary outcomes (3)
Flexibility Measured by Sit and Reach Test (cm)
Flexibility will be assessed using the Sit and Reach Test to evaluate hamstring and lower back flexibility. Results will be recorded in centimeters.
Measured: Baseline and 6 weeks
Postural Alignment Measured by PostureScreenLite Mobile Application
Postural alignment will be evaluated using the PostureScreenLite mobile application. Standardized photographs from anterior, posterior, and lateral views will be analyzed to determine postural deviation angles.
Measured: Baseline and 6 weeks
Postural Balance Measured by Bertec Balance System (Center of Pressure Parameters)
Postural balance will be assessed using the Bertec Balance Legacy System by measuring center of pressure displacement and stability parameters during quiet standing.
Measured: Baseline and 6 weeks
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted27 Mar 2026
- Study start1 Apr 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion1 Jun 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion1 Jul 2026 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Mechanical Low 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
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Model description
- Participants will be randomly assigned to two parallel groups. Both groups will receive the same home exercise program designed by a physiotherapist. The control group will receive the exercises in printed format, while the experimental group will follow the exercise program through a mobile application that provides video demonstrations, reminders, and exercise tracking features. The intervention will be performed three times per week for six weeks. Outcome assessments will be conducted before the intervention and after completion of the program.
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 50 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Karabuk University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Ece ACAR, Karabuk University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07495475
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- MechanicalLumbarApp
- Status last verified
- Mar 2026
- First submitted
- 12 Mar 2026
- Last updated
- 1 Apr 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No: Individual participant data will not be shared due to institutional data protection policies and ethical considerations. Only aggregated study results will be reported in scientific publications.
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 1 Apr 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Effect of a Mobile Application-Supported Home Exercise Program on Posture, Balance, Pain and Functionality in Individuals With Mechanical Low Back Pain
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07495475
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- MechanicalLumbarApp
- Conditions
- Mechanical Low Back Pain
- Keywords
- Low Back Pain, Mechanical Low Back Pain, Home Exercise Program, Mobile Health Application, Physiotherapy, Exercise Adherence
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Not yet recruiting
- Enrolment
- 50 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Karabuk UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 1 Apr 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion
- 1 Jun 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 1 Jul 2026 (estimated)
- First posted
- 27 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.
Mechanical low back pain is one of the most common musculoskeletal disorders affecting daily activities and quality of life. Home exercise programs are frequently recommended in the management of low back pain; however, adherence to these programs is often limited. Mobile health applications may enhance adherence by providing exercise demonstrations, reminders, and monitoring tools.
The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of a mobile application-supported home exercise program on posture, balance, pain, and functional status in individuals with mechanical low back pain. Participants with chronic mechanical low back pain will be randomly assigned to two groups. Both groups will receive the same home exercise program. The control group will receive the exercises in printed format, while the experimental group will follow the program through the E-Exercise mobile application that includes exercise videos, reminders, and progress tracking.
Participants will be evaluated before the intervention and after six weeks of exercise training. Outcome measures will include flexibility, posture, balance, pain intensity, and functional disability. The results of this study may contribute to improving adherence to home exercise programs and promoting the use of digital health technologies in physiotherapy practice.
Detailed description
Mechanical low back pain is a common musculoskeletal condition that may negatively affect posture, balance, pain perception, physical function, and quality of life. Home exercise programs are widely used in physiotherapy for the management of mechanical low back pain because they are practical, accessible, and cost-effective. However, poor adherence to home exercise programs and difficulties in performing exercises correctly may reduce treatment effectiveness.
This study is designed to investigate whether a mobile application-supported home exercise program provides additional benefits compared with a conventional printed home exercise program in individuals with chronic mechanical low back pain. The mobile application developed for this study, called E-Exercise, includes video-based exercise instructions, reminder notifications, and an exercise tracking component that allows participants to mark completed exercises. These features are intended to improve exercise adherence and support correct exercise performance at home.
A total of 50 participants with chronic mechanical low back pain will be randomly assigned to either the experimental group or the control group. Both groups will receive the same exercise content prepared by a physiotherapist and will perform the exercises 3 days per week for 6 weeks. The control group will receive the exercise program in printed form, whereas the experimental group will use the mobile application.
Participants will be evaluated before the intervention and at the end of the 6-week program. Outcome measures will include flexibility assessed by the Sit and Reach Test, Straight Leg Raise Test, and Modified Schober Test; posture assessed by PostureScreenLite; postural balance assessed by the Bertec Balance Legacy System; pain assessed by the Visual Analog Scale and Pain Catastrophizing Scale; functional disability assessed by the Oswestry Disability Index; and health-related quality of life assessed by the SF-12. This study is expected to provide evidence on whether mobile health support can improve adherence and clinical outcomes in home-based physiotherapy programs for individuals with mechanical low back pain.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
- Model description
- Participants will be randomly assigned to two parallel groups. Both groups will receive the same home exercise program designed by a physiotherapist. The control group will receive the exercises in printed format, while the experimental group will follow the exercise program through a mobile application that provides video demonstrations, reminders, and exercise tracking features. The intervention will be performed three times per week for six weeks. Outcome assessments will be conducted before the intervention and after completion of the program.
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Printed Home Exercise Program | Active comparator | Behavioral: Printed Home Exercise ProgramParticipants in this group will receive the same home exercise program in printed format. Exercises will be explained by a physiotherapist and participants will be asked to perform them at home three times per week for six weeks. |
| Mobile Application-Supported Home Exercise | Experimental | Behavioral: Mobile Application-Supported Home Exercise ProgramParticipants in this group will receive a home exercise program supported by the E-Exercise mobile application. The application provides video demonstrations of exercises, reminder notifications, and exercise tracking. Participants will perform the exercises three times per week for six weeks. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 65 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Individuals aged between 18 and 65 years
- Diagnosis of chronic mechanical low back pain lasting longer than 3 months
- Ability to use a smartphone or mobile device
- Willingness to participate in the study and provide informed consent
Key exclusion criteria (5 listed)
- Cauda equina syndrome
- Long-term corticosteroid use
- Presence of focal neurological deficits associated with disability
- Previous spinal surgery
- Severe neurological or systemic disorders affecting mobility
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Mobile Application-Supported Home Exercise ProgramParticipants will follow a home exercise program through the E-Exercise mobile application. The application provides video demonstrations of exercises, reminder notifications, and an exercise tracking feature. Participants will perform the exercises three times per week for six weeks. The exercises are designed by a physiotherapist and aim to improve flexibility, posture, balance, pain, and functional status. | Behavioural | Mobile Application-Supported Home Exercise |
| Printed Home Exercise ProgramParticipants will receive a printed version of the same home exercise program explained by a physiotherapist. Participants will perform the exercises at home three times per week for six weeks without mobile application support. | Behavioural | Printed Home Exercise Program |
Primary outcome
Pain Intensity Measured by Visual Analog Scale (VAS)
Time frame: Baseline and 6 weeks
Pain intensity will be assessed using a 10-cm Visual Analog Scale, where 0 indicates no pain and 10 indicates worst possible pain.
3 secondary outcomes
Flexibility Measured by Sit and Reach Test (cm)
Time frame: Baseline and 6 weeks
Postural Alignment Measured by PostureScreenLite Mobile Application
Time frame: Baseline and 6 weeks
Postural Balance Measured by Bertec Balance System (Center of Pressure Parameters)
Time frame: Baseline and 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 1 Apr 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No. Individual participant data will not be shared due to institutional data protection policies and ethical considerations. Only aggregated study results will be reported in scientific publications.
Related trials for Mechanical Low Back Pain
Not yet recruiting
Effect of Dry Needling Plus Vibration on Myofascial Trigger Points in Individuals With Nonspecific Low Back Pain
Low Back Pain, Dry Needling
Not yet recruiting
Effect of Lumbar Stabilization Exercises With and Without YTWL (Scapular Stabilization Exercises) on Reducing Chronic Low Back Pain and Related Disability by Numerical Pain Rating Scale and Modified Oswestry Disability Index Respectively.
Chronic Non Specific Mechanical Low Back Pain
Recruiting
Fusion or Not - a Study on Low Back Pain
Low Back Pain, Mechanical, Degenerative Disc Disease Lumbar
Recruiting
Effects of Post-Isometric Relaxation and Myofascial Release on Low Back Pain With Lower Cross Syndrome
Low Back Pain, Mechanical, Lower Cross Syndrome
RecruitingPhase 1
Adia Med of Winter Park LLC Lower Back Pain Research Study
Chronic Mechanical Lower Back Pain, Lower 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.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Mobile Application-Supported Home Exercise Program and Printed Home Exercise Program in people with Mechanical Low Back Pain, run by Karabuk University.
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 4 inclusion and 5 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 1 Apr 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
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 Ece ACAR, PhD (+905457925035, eceacar@karabuk.edu.tr), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Pain Intensity Measured by Visual Analog Scale (VAS) (time frame: Baseline and 6 weeks). 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 1 Apr 2026.