Chronic LDHChronic LDHNCT07515287
Restoration of Sensorimotor Function in Middle-Aged Women With Chronic Lumbar Disc Herniation: The Effect of Pilates on Proprioception, Tibialis Anterior Strength, and Dynamic Balance
A study testing Pilates Exercise in people with Chronic LDH, run by Kahramanmaras Sutcu Imam University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial summary
The aim of this study is to determine the effects of core stabilization-focused Pilates exercises on sensorimotor function in middle-aged women diagnosed with chronic lumbar disc herniation (LDH). Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 45 to 60 years, women only
- Conditions the study is for
- Chronic LDH
- What is being tested?
- Pilates Exercise
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 30 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 7 Mar 2026to 1 Aug 2026
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
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 45 to 60 years
- Women only
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- Female individuals aged 45-60 years diagnosed with lumbar disc herniation (LDH),
- Individuals who were diagnosed with LDH at least one year prior,
- Individuals who have not received any therapeutic exercise treatment in the past year,
- Individuals without any communication impairments (visual or hearing),
- Individuals who have not undergone any surgical procedure within the last 6 months,
- Individuals who voluntarily agree to participate in the study.
Who cannot join
- Individuals who do not wish to participate in the study,
- Individuals who do not meet the age criteria,
- Individuals currently receiving therapeutic exercise treatment,
- Individuals with conditions that may affect ankle muscle strength and sensation (e.g., diabetes, rheumatologic diseases, neuromuscular disorders).
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
Turkey (Türkiye)1 site
Kahramanmaraş Sütçü İmam Üniversitesi
Kahramanmaraş, onikişubat, 46100
About this study
The aim of this study is to determine the effects of core stabilization-focused Pilates exercises on sensorimotor function in middle-aged women diagnosed with chronic lumbar disc herniation (LDH). A total of 30 women who continue their normal daily activities and meet the inclusion criteria will be included in the study, with 15 participants in the treatment group and 15 in the control group. The study will involve an exercise intervention protocol consisting of Pilates exercises requiring full participation over an 8-week period.
Read the detailed description
Lumbar disc herniation (LDH) is a common musculoskeletal disorder resulting from the degeneration of intervertebral discs in the lumbar spine and the compression of nerve roots. This condition leads to symptoms such as low back pain, numbness in the lower extremities, muscle weakness, and balance impairments, significantly limiting individuals' daily activities and quality of life.
Pilates is a mind-body exercise approach that focuses on the activation of deep core muscles (such as the transversus abdominis and multifidus), breathing control, and body awareness. This exercise model is thought to potentially reverse pain-induced cortical reorganization in the motor cortex and improve sensorimotor integration by promoting neuromuscular re-education.
Although the effects of Pilates on trunk proprioception have been investigated in the literature, studies specifically examining its impact on ankle proprioception and distal muscle strength in patients with LDH are limited. Therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate the effects of Pilates on the sensorimotor system in middle-aged women with chronic lumbar disc herniation.
- Conditions
- Chronic LDH
- Being tested
- Pilates Exercise
- Keywords
- Cchronic LDH, Pilates, Mİddle Aged Women, Proprioception
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Pilates ExerciseOther
Also called Core Stabilization
Pİlates Group: 8-week Pilates exercise program
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Pİlates | Experimental | İntervention : 8-week Pilates exercise program. Individuals with chronic unilateral lumbar disc herniation (LDH) who continue their normal daily activities and meet the inclusion criteria will be enrolled in an 8-week Pilates exercise program, conducted twice a week for 50 minutes per session. Assessments will be performed before and after the exercise program. Receives: Other: Pilates Exercise |
| Control | No intervention | Individuals with chronic unilateral lumbar disc herniation (LDH) who continue their normal daily activities and meet the inclusion criteria will be evaluated. |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Proprioceptive Sense/Joint Position Sense
Ankle joint position sense will be assessed to evaluate proprioceptive function. The assessment will be performed in a standing position. Reflective markers will be placed on anatomical landmarks used as pivot points for goniometric measurement of the ankle, and participants' feet will be labeled with their names to prevent any confusion.
Participants will be asked to transfer their body weight onto one leg. During this, on the side to be measured, they will be instructed to maintain a position with the hip at 30° flexion and the knee at 60° flexion, lightly touching the ground with the toes. Two rigid devices providing 0° and 10° angles at the ankle joint will be used. The ankle will be positioned at the target angle using these devices, and the participant will be asked to hold this position for 5 seconds.
Afterward, the foot will be returned to the initial position. Participants will then be asked to look straight ahead and actively reproduce the same ankle position, at which poi
Measured: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 8 weeks
Tibialis Anterior Muscle Test
The strength of the tibialis anterior muscle will be measured using the Lafayette Muscle Testing device (Model 01165, FDA Medical, Canada). The test will be conducted in a seated position. Prior to the assessment, participants will be informed about the procedure, and similar to manual muscle testing, they will be asked to pull their ankle toward themselves with maximum effort.
Measured: "From enrollment to the end of treatment at 8 weeks"
Functional Reach Test
This test is a practically applicable assessment and is preferred in many studies for evaluating dynamic balance. The only requirements for its administration are a measuring tape and sufficient space.
Measured: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 8 weeks
Time Up Go Test
Before the test, participants will be informed about the procedure and the test will be demonstrated. Upon the "start" command, the participant will be asked to rise from a chair, walk around a target placed 3 meters away, and return to sit on the chair. Timing will be measured using a stopwatch. The test will be repeated three times, and the best time, in seconds, will be recorded.
Measured: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 8 weeks
Secondary outcomes (1)
Pain Assesment
The Visual Analog Scale (VAS),Pain intensity will be assessed using a 10-cm visual analog scale (VAS), ranging from 0 to 10. A score of 0 indicates no pain, whereas a score of 10 indicates unbearable pain. The VAS is widely used to assess pain intensity. Pain intensity will be classified as mild (1-4), moderate (5-7), or severe (8-10).
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 posted7 Apr 2026
- Study start7 Mar 2026
- Primary completion30 Apr 2026
- Study completion1 Aug 2026
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Chronic LDHStudies 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
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 30 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Kahramanmaras Sutcu Imam University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Asiya Uzun, Kahramanmaras Sutcu Imam University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07515287
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 2026/046
- Acronym
- Chronic LDH
- Status last verified
- Oct 2026
- First submitted
- 31 Mar 2026
- Last updated
- 2 Nov 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 2 Nov 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Restoration of Sensorimotor Function in Middle-Aged Women With Chronic Lumbar Disc Herniation: The Effect of Pilates on Proprioception, Tibialis Anterior Strength, and Dynamic Balance
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07515287
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- Chronic LDH / 2026/046
- Conditions
- Chronic LDH
- Keywords
- Cchronic LDH, Pilates, Mİddle Aged Women, Proprioception
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 30 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Kahramanmaras Sutcu Imam UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 7 Mar 2026 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 30 Apr 2026 (actual)
- Study completion
- 1 Aug 2026 (actual)
- First posted
- 7 Apr 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.
The aim of this study is to determine the effects of core stabilization-focused Pilates exercises on sensorimotor function in middle-aged women diagnosed with chronic lumbar disc herniation (LDH). A total of 30 women who continue their normal daily activities and meet the inclusion criteria will be included in the study, with 15 participants in the treatment group and 15 in the control group. The study will involve an exercise intervention protocol consisting of Pilates exercises requiring full participation over an 8-week period.
Detailed description
Lumbar disc herniation (LDH) is a common musculoskeletal disorder resulting from the degeneration of intervertebral discs in the lumbar spine and the compression of nerve roots. This condition leads to symptoms such as low back pain, numbness in the lower extremities, muscle weakness, and balance impairments, significantly limiting individuals' daily activities and quality of life.
Pilates is a mind-body exercise approach that focuses on the activation of deep core muscles (such as the transversus abdominis and multifidus), breathing control, and body awareness. This exercise model is thought to potentially reverse pain-induced cortical reorganization in the motor cortex and improve sensorimotor integration by promoting neuromuscular re-education.
Although the effects of Pilates on trunk proprioception have been investigated in the literature, studies specifically examining its impact on ankle proprioception and distal muscle strength in patients with LDH are limited. Therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate the effects of Pilates on the sensorimotor system in middle-aged women with chronic lumbar disc herniation.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Pİlates | Experimental | Other: Pilates Exerciseİntervention : 8-week Pilates exercise program. Individuals with chronic unilateral lumbar disc herniation (LDH) who continue their normal daily activities and meet the inclusion criteria will be enrolled in an 8-week Pilates exercise program, conducted twice a week for 50 minutes per session. Assessments will be performed before and after the exercise program. |
| Control | No intervention | –Individuals with chronic unilateral lumbar disc herniation (LDH) who continue their normal daily activities and meet the inclusion criteria will be evaluated. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 45 to 60 years
- Sex
- Female only
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (6 listed)
- Female individuals aged 45-60 years diagnosed with lumbar disc herniation (LDH),
- Individuals who were diagnosed with LDH at least one year prior,
- Individuals who have not received any therapeutic exercise treatment in the past year,
- Individuals without any communication impairments (visual or hearing),
- Individuals who have not undergone any surgical procedure within the last 6 months,
Key exclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Individuals who do not wish to participate in the study,
- Individuals who do not meet the age criteria,
- Individuals currently receiving therapeutic exercise treatment,
- Individuals with conditions that may affect ankle muscle strength and sensation (e.g., diabetes, rheumatologic diseases, neuromuscular 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Pilates ExerciseAlso: Core StabilizationPİlates Group: 8-week Pilates exercise program | Other | Pİlates |
Primary outcome
Proprioceptive Sense/Joint Position Sense
Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 8 weeks
Ankle joint position sense will be assessed to evaluate proprioceptive function. The assessment will be performed in a standing position. Reflective markers will be placed on anatomical landmarks used as pivot points for goniometric measurement of the ankle, and participants' feet will be labeled with their names to prevent any confusion. Participants will be asked to transfer their body weight onto one leg. During this, on the side to be measured, they will be instructed to maintain a position with the hip at 30° flexion and the knee at 60° flexion, lightly touching the ground with the toes. Two rigid devices providing 0° and 10° angles at the ankle joint will be used. The ankle will be positioned at the target angle using these devices, and the participant will be asked to hold this position for 5 seconds. Afterward, the foot will be returned to the initial position. Participants will then be asked to look straight ahead and actively reproduce the same ankle position, at which poi
Tibialis Anterior Muscle Test
Time frame: "From enrollment to the end of treatment at 8 weeks"
The strength of the tibialis anterior muscle will be measured using the Lafayette Muscle Testing device (Model 01165, FDA Medical, Canada). The test will be conducted in a seated position. Prior to the assessment, participants will be informed about the procedure, and similar to manual muscle testing, they will be asked to pull their ankle toward themselves with maximum effort.
Functional Reach Test
Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 8 weeks
This test is a practically applicable assessment and is preferred in many studies for evaluating dynamic balance. The only requirements for its administration are a measuring tape and sufficient space.
Time Up Go Test
Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 8 weeks
Before the test, participants will be informed about the procedure and the test will be demonstrated. Upon the "start" command, the participant will be asked to rise from a chair, walk around a target placed 3 meters away, and return to sit on the chair. Timing will be measured using a stopwatch. The test will be repeated three times, and the best time, in seconds, will be recorded.
1 secondary outcome
Pain Assesment
Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 8 weeks
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 2 Nov 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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 Pilates Exercise in people with Chronic LDH, run by Kahramanmaras Sutcu Imam University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
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: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 2 Nov 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 Turkey (Türkiye). 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?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
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?
Proprioceptive Sense/Joint Position Sense (time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 8 weeks). The study lists 4 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 2 Nov 2026.