Chronic Non-Specific Low Back PainNCT07645859
Comparison of High-Intensity Interval Training With Moderate-Intensity Continuous Training in Chronic Non-Specific Low Back Pain Patients
A study testing Brisk walk and jog and Normal walk in people with Chronic Non-Specific Low Back Pain, run by Dow University of Health Sciences at 1 site in Pakistan.
Trial summary
The goal of this clinical trial is to compare the HIIT with MICT in chronic non-specific low back pain patients. The main questions it aims to answer are: The broad aim of the study is to compare HIIT with MICT in pain reduction in chronic non-specific low back pain patients. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 20 to 48 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Chronic Non-Specific Low Back Pain
- What is being tested?
- Brisk walk and jog and Normal walk
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 80 participants
- Where
- 1 sitePakistan
- Study dates
- 14 May 2026to Dec 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 20 to 48 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- Referred patients of back pain persisting for > 12 weeks with no identifiable specific cause or underlying pathology from DUH OPD who meet the eligibility criteria.
- Age group 20-48 with either gender.
- NPRS score ranging between 3 and 5 (mild to moderate).
- Modified ODI score is mild to moderate.
Who cannot join
- Any client with a specific cause of LBP (neurological problems, fractures, malignancy, infections, or rheumatic diseases such as RA or ankylosing spondylitis).
- Any client with cardiopulmonary problems (recent myocardial infarction, uncontrolled hypertension, asthma, COPD).
- Any client with musculoskeletal disorders [injuries limiting exercises, spine injuries, recent trauma (fracture), scoliosis by Forward Adam's test].
- Any client with metabolic conditions (thyroid problems, uncontrolled diabetes).
- Pregnancy / first 3-6 months postpartum.
- Recent surgery.
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
Dr. Ariba Sohail (PT)
Karachi
Ariba Sohail, +923480218683, aribasohail123@gmail.com
About this study
Official title: Comparison of High-Intensity Interval Training With Moderate-Intensity Connuous Training In Chronic Non-Specific Low Back Pain Patients: Randomized Clinical Trial
The goal of this clinical trial is to compare the HIIT with MICT in chronic non-specific low back pain patients. The main questions it aims to answer are:
- The broad aim of the study is to compare HIIT with MICT in pain reduction in chronic non-specific low back pain patients.
- The purpose of this research is to compare HIIT with MICT on disability and quality of life among chronic non-specific low back pain patients.
- It also attempts to investigate the relationship between the baseline attributes and outcome variables.
Read more
Researcher will compare the HIIT to MICT to see the effects on CNSLBP
Participants will be:
- Allocated to HIIT or MICT group for 6 weeks.
- Assessed pre and post intervention.
- Continuously monitored during treatment sessions.
- Conditions
- Chronic Non-Specific Low Back Pain
- Being tested
- Brisk walk and jog, Normal walk
- Keywords
- High-Intensity Interval Training, Moderate-Intensity Continuous Training, Chronic Non-Specific Low Back Pain, Aerobic, Heart rate, Body composition, Anaerobic
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Brisk walk and jogOther
High-Intensity Interval Training
Normal walkOther
Moderate-Intensity Continuous Training
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| High-Intensity Interval Training | Experimental | A total of 40 participants will be enrolled in this group. Sessions will be conducted 3 times a week, each session lasting for 25 minutes. The duration breakdown is as follows: 3 minutes of warm-up, 6 bouts of HIIT (1 min of HIIT at 85-90% of HRmax, 2 min of recovery at 74-80% of HRmax), and 4 min of cool down. The intensity will be monitored using HR and the Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion. The mode of exercise will involve brisk walk and jog. At the end of each session, participants will perform 5-10 minutes stretching exercises targeting major muscle groups. Receives: Other: Brisk walk and jog |
| Moderate-Intensity Continuous Training | Active comparator | A total of 40 participants will be enrolled in this group. Sessions will be conducted 5 times a week, each session lasting for 46 minutes. The duration breakdown is as follows: 3 minutes of warm-up, 40 min of HIIT (at 60-70% of HRmax), and 3 min of cool down. The intensity will be monitored using HR and Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion. The mode of exercise will involve normal walk. At the end of each session, participants will perform 5-10 minutes stretching exercises targeting major muscle groups. Receives: Other: Normal walk |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Numeric Pain Rating Score (NPRS)
Low back pain persisting for > 12 weeks with no identifiable specific cause or underlying pathology Score: Mild to moderate (3-5)
Measured: 6 weeks
Secondary outcomes (6)
Modified Oswestry Disability Index for disability
Disability percentage derived from 10-item ODI scores 20-40% considered mild to moderate and eligible.
Measured: 6 weeks
Short Form-12 for Quality of Life
Measured: 6 weeks
Modified Bruce Treadmill protocol for CV endurance
Measured: 6 weeks
Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA) for body composition
Measured: 6 weeks
height and weight for Body Mass Index
Measured: 6 weeks
Waist Hip Ratio for fat distribution
Measured: 6 weeks
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted12 Jun 2026
- Study start14 May 2026
- Primary completionDec 2026 (estimated)
- Study completionDec 2026 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (35)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Chronic Non-Specific 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
- Masking
- Double blind
- Who is masked
- Participant, Investigator
- Enrolment
- 80 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Dow University of Health Sciences
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Dr. Ariba Sohail (PT), Dow University of Health Sciences
- Investigators
- Ariba Sohail, Principal investigator, Dow University of Health Sciences
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07645859
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- IRB-4535
- Status last verified
- Jun 2026
- First submitted
- 5 Jun 2026
- Last updated
- 12 Jun 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Publications
35. Mikat, RP. Validity And Reliability of Waist-To-Hip Ratio Measurements From Dual Digital-Photograph Anthropometry. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise. May 2001. 33(5):p S241.
Shirai Y, Momosaki R, Kokura Y, Kato Y, Okugawa Y, Shimizu A. Validation of Asian Body Mass Index Cutoff Values for the Classification of Malnutrition Severity According to the Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition Criteria in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Exacerbations. Nutrients. 2022 Nov 10;14(22):4746. doi: 10.3390/nu14224746.
PubMed 36432433Vasold KL, Parks AC, Phelan DML, Pontifex MB, Pivarnik JM. Reliability and Validity of Commercially Available Low-Cost Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis. Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab. 2019 Jul 1;29(4):406-410. doi: 10.1123/ijsnem.2018-0283.
PubMed 30507268Kotte EM, DE Groot JF, Bongers BC, Winkler AM, Takken T. Validity and Reproducibility of a New Treadmill Protocol: The Fitkids Treadmill Test. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2015 Oct;47(10):2241-7. doi: 10.1249/MSS.0000000000000657.
PubMed 26378949Kontodimopoulos N, Pappa E, Niakas D, Tountas Y. Validity of SF-12 summary scores in a Greek general population. Health Qual Life Outcomes. 2007 Sep 28;5:55. doi: 10.1186/1477-7525-5-55.
PubMed 17900374Cheak-Zamora NC, Wyrwich KW, McBride TD. Reliability and validity of the SF-12v2 in the medical expenditure panel survey. Qual Life Res. 2009 Aug;18(6):727-35. doi: 10.1007/s11136-009-9483-1. Epub 2009 May 8.
PubMed 19424821Sheahan PJ, Nelson-Wong EJ, Fischer SL. A review of culturally adapted versions of the Oswestry Disability Index: the adaptation process, construct validity, test-retest reliability and internal consistency. Disabil Rehabil. 2015;37(25):2367-74. doi: 10.3109/09638288.2015.1019647. Epub 2015 Mar 4.
PubMed 25738913Bijur PE, Latimer CT, Gallagher EJ. Validation of a verbally administered numerical rating scale of acute pain for use in the emergency department. Acad Emerg Med. 2003 Apr;10(4):390-2. doi: 10.1111/j.1553-2712.2003.tb01355.x.
PubMed 12670856Jensen MP, McFarland CA. Increasing the reliability and validity of pain intensity measurement in chronic pain patients. Pain. 1993 Nov;55(2):195-203. doi: 10.1016/0304-3959(93)90148-I.
PubMed 830970926. Weir CB, Jan A. BMI Classification Percentile and Cut off Points [Internet]. PubMed. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK541070/
25. Kauser S, Ahmed B, Aslam S. Effects of Moderate Intensity Continuous Training on Body Composition and Aerobic Fitness in Female College Students. Vol. 6, The Sky-International Journal of Physical Education and Sports Sciences.
Verbrugghe J, Agten A, Stevens S, Hansen D, Demoulin C, O Eijnde B, Vandenabeele F, Timmermans A. Exercise Intensity Matters in Chronic Nonspecific Low Back Pain Rehabilitation. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2019 Dec;51(12):2434-2442. doi: 10.1249/MSS.0000000000002078.
PubMed 3126900423. Amir R, Jehangir F, Muhammad M, Ahsan NJ, Adnan T. Frequency and Determinants of Chronic Lower Back Pain Among Patients Presenting To Primary Care Clinics in Pakistan: A Cross-Sectional Analysis. Journal of Rawalpindi Medical College. 2023 Dec 30;27(4).
Atakan MM, Guzel Y, Bulut S, Kosar SN, McConell GK, Turnagol HH. Six high-intensity interval training sessions over 5 days increases maximal oxygen uptake, endurance capacity, and sub-maximal exercise fat oxidation as much as 6 high-intensity interval training sessions over 2 weeks. J Sport Health Sci. 2021 Jul;10(4):478-487. doi: 10.1016/j.jshs.2020.06.008. Epub 2020 Jun 18.
PubMed 3256524321. Sarfraz M, Shadmehr A, Naz E, Ali M, Rahim A. Comparison of Short-Term Effects of High-Intensity Interval Training vs Moderate Intensity Continuous Training on Anthropometric Characteristics of Overweight Young Women. Pakistan Journal of Medical and Health Sciences. 2022 Aug 31;16(8):729-32.
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 12 Jun 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Comparison of High-Intensity Interval Training With Moderate-Intensity Connuous Training In Chronic Non-Specific Low Back Pain Patients: Randomized Clinical Trial
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07645859
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- IRB-4535
- Conditions
- Chronic Non-Specific Low Back Pain
- Keywords
- High-Intensity Interval Training, Moderate-Intensity Continuous Training, Chronic Non-Specific Low Back Pain, Aerobic, Heart rate, Body composition, Anaerobic
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Enrolment
- 80 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Dow University of Health SciencesUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 14 May 2026 (actual)
- Primary completion
- Dec 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion
- Dec 2026 (estimated)
- First posted
- 12 Jun 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 goal of this clinical trial is to compare the HIIT with MICT in chronic non-specific low back pain patients. The main questions it aims to answer are:
- The broad aim of the study is to compare HIIT with MICT in pain reduction in chronic non-specific low back pain patients.
- The purpose of this research is to compare HIIT with MICT on disability and quality of life among chronic non-specific low back pain patients.
- It also attempts to investigate the relationship between the baseline attributes and outcome variables.
Researcher will compare the HIIT to MICT to see the effects on CNSLBP
Participants will be:
- Allocated to HIIT or MICT group for 6 weeks.
- Assessed pre and post intervention.
- Continuously monitored during treatment sessions.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Double blind (participant, investigator)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| High-Intensity Interval Training | Experimental | Other: Brisk walk and jogA total of 40 participants will be enrolled in this group. Sessions will be conducted 3 times a week, each session lasting for 25 minutes. The duration breakdown is as follows: 3 minutes of warm-up, 6 bouts of HIIT (1 min of HIIT at 85-90% of HRmax, 2 min of recovery at 74-80% of HRmax), and 4 min of cool down. The intensity will be monitored using HR and the Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion. The mode of exercise will involve brisk walk and jog. At the end of each session, participants will perform 5-10 minutes stretching exercises targeting major muscle groups. |
| Moderate-Intensity Continuous Training | Active comparator | Other: Normal walkA total of 40 participants will be enrolled in this group. Sessions will be conducted 5 times a week, each session lasting for 46 minutes. The duration breakdown is as follows: 3 minutes of warm-up, 40 min of HIIT (at 60-70% of HRmax), and 3 min of cool down. The intensity will be monitored using HR and Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion. The mode of exercise will involve normal walk. At the end of each session, participants will perform 5-10 minutes stretching exercises targeting major muscle groups. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 20 to 48 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Referred patients of back pain persisting for > 12 weeks with no identifiable specific cause or underlying pathology from DUH OPD who meet the eligibility criteria.
- Age group 20-48 with either gender.
- NPRS score ranging between 3 and 5 (mild to moderate).
- Modified ODI score is mild to moderate.
Key exclusion criteria (6 listed)
- Any client with a specific cause of LBP (neurological problems, fractures, malignancy, infections, or rheumatic diseases such as RA or ankylosing spondylitis).
- Any client with cardiopulmonary problems (recent myocardial infarction, uncontrolled hypertension, asthma, COPD).
- Any client with musculoskeletal disorders [injuries limiting exercises, spine injuries, recent trauma (fracture), scoliosis by Forward Adam's test].
- Any client with metabolic conditions (thyroid problems, uncontrolled diabetes).
- Pregnancy / first 3-6 months postpartum.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk walk and jogHigh-Intensity Interval Training | Other | High-Intensity Interval Training |
| Normal walkModerate-Intensity Continuous Training | Other | Moderate-Intensity Continuous Training |
Primary outcome
Numeric Pain Rating Score (NPRS)
Time frame: 6 weeks
Low back pain persisting for > 12 weeks with no identifiable specific cause or underlying pathology Score: Mild to moderate (3-5)
6 secondary outcomes
Modified Oswestry Disability Index for disability
Time frame: 6 weeks
Short Form-12 for Quality of Life
Time frame: 6 weeks
Modified Bruce Treadmill protocol for CV endurance
Time frame: 6 weeks
Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA) for body composition
Time frame: 6 weeks
height and weight for Body Mass Index
Time frame: 6 weeks
Waist Hip Ratio for fat distribution
Time frame: 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 12 Jun 2026.
- Background35. Mikat, RP. Validity And Reliability of Waist-To-Hip Ratio Measurements From Dual Digital-Photograph Anthropometry. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise. May 2001. 33(5):p S241.
- Background: PubMed 36432433Shirai Y, Momosaki R, Kokura Y, Kato Y, Okugawa Y, Shimizu A. Validation of Asian Body Mass Index Cutoff Values for the Classification of Malnutrition Severity According to the Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition Criteria in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Exacerbations. Nutrients. 2022 Nov 10;14(22):4746. doi: 10.3390/nu14224746.
- Background: PubMed 30507268Vasold KL, Parks AC, Phelan DML, Pontifex MB, Pivarnik JM. Reliability and Validity of Commercially Available Low-Cost Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis. Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab. 2019 Jul 1;29(4):406-410. doi: 10.1123/ijsnem.2018-0283.
- Background: PubMed 26378949Kotte EM, DE Groot JF, Bongers BC, Winkler AM, Takken T. Validity and Reproducibility of a New Treadmill Protocol: The Fitkids Treadmill Test. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2015 Oct;47(10):2241-7. doi: 10.1249/MSS.0000000000000657.
- Background: PubMed 17900374Kontodimopoulos N, Pappa E, Niakas D, Tountas Y. Validity of SF-12 summary scores in a Greek general population. Health Qual Life Outcomes. 2007 Sep 28;5:55. doi: 10.1186/1477-7525-5-55.
- Background: PubMed 19424821Cheak-Zamora NC, Wyrwich KW, McBride TD. Reliability and validity of the SF-12v2 in the medical expenditure panel survey. Qual Life Res. 2009 Aug;18(6):727-35. doi: 10.1007/s11136-009-9483-1. Epub 2009 May 8.
- Background: PubMed 25738913Sheahan PJ, Nelson-Wong EJ, Fischer SL. A review of culturally adapted versions of the Oswestry Disability Index: the adaptation process, construct validity, test-retest reliability and internal consistency. Disabil Rehabil. 2015;37(25):2367-74. doi: 10.3109/09638288.2015.1019647. Epub 2015 Mar 4.
- Background: PubMed 12670856Bijur PE, Latimer CT, Gallagher EJ. Validation of a verbally administered numerical rating scale of acute pain for use in the emergency department. Acad Emerg Med. 2003 Apr;10(4):390-2. doi: 10.1111/j.1553-2712.2003.tb01355.x.
- Background: PubMed 8309709Jensen MP, McFarland CA. Increasing the reliability and validity of pain intensity measurement in chronic pain patients. Pain. 1993 Nov;55(2):195-203. doi: 10.1016/0304-3959(93)90148-I.
- Background26. Weir CB, Jan A. BMI Classification Percentile and Cut off Points [Internet]. PubMed. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK541070/
- Background25. Kauser S, Ahmed B, Aslam S. Effects of Moderate Intensity Continuous Training on Body Composition and Aerobic Fitness in Female College Students. Vol. 6, The Sky-International Journal of Physical Education and Sports Sciences.
- Background: PubMed 31269004Verbrugghe J, Agten A, Stevens S, Hansen D, Demoulin C, O Eijnde B, Vandenabeele F, Timmermans A. Exercise Intensity Matters in Chronic Nonspecific Low Back Pain Rehabilitation. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2019 Dec;51(12):2434-2442. doi: 10.1249/MSS.0000000000002078.
- 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.
Ariba Sohail principal investigator
Dow University of Health Sciences
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Brisk walk and jog and Normal walk in people with Chronic Non-Specific Low Back Pain, run by Dow University of Health Sciences 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 4 inclusion and 6 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 12 Jun 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 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 Ariba Dr. Ariba Sohail (PT) (+923480218683, aribasohail123@gmail.com), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Numeric Pain Rating Score (NPRS) (time frame: 6 weeks). 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 NCT07645859, which also lists 35 linked publications.
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 12 Jun 2026.