Chronic Non-specific Low Back PainNCT07686237
Core Stability Training in Young Adults With Chronic Non-Specific Low Back Pain
A study testing Swiss ball-based core stability training and Mat-based lumbar muscle exercises in people with Chronic Non-specific Low Back Pain, run by Guangxi Normal University at 1 site in China.
Trial summary
Chronic non-specific low back pain is common among young adults and can lead to persistent pain, reduced physical function, decreased muscle strength, and impaired balance, affecting daily activities and quality of life. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 25 years, men only
- Conditions the study is for
- Chronic Non-specific Low Back Pain
- What is being tested?
- Swiss ball-based core stability training and Mat-based lumbar muscle exercises
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 30 participants
- Where
- 1 siteChina
- Study dates
- 1 Jan 2021to 1 Mar 2021
- 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 18 to 25 years
- Men only
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- Male participants aged 18 to 25 years.
- Diagnosis of chronic non-specific low back pain characterized by pain or discomfort located between the lower rib margin and the gluteal folds, with or without lower limb pain.
- No signs of nerve root compression and a negative straight leg raise test.
- No identifiable specific pathological or anatomical cause of low back pain.
- Baseline pain intensity score greater than 2 and less than 9 on the Visual Analog Scale (VAS).
- Duration of low back pain symptoms longer than 12 weeks.
- No treatment for low back pain received within the previous month.
- Willingness to participate in the study and provide written informed consent.
Who cannot join
- Failure to meet the diagnostic criteria for chronic non-specific low back pain.
- History of spinal trauma or spinal surgery.
- Presence of severe cardiovascular diseases, such as uncontrolled hypertension.
- Presence of severe metabolic diseases, such as gout.
- Presence of severe infectious diseases, such as pneumonia.
- Diagnosed structural spinal disorders, including lumbar disc herniation, spondylolisthesis, spinal stenosis, or other identifiable pathological anatomical abnormalities.
- Any medical condition that would prevent safe participation in the exercise intervention as determined by the investigators.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Official title: Effects of Core Stability Training on Functional Recovery in Young Adults With Chronic Non-Specific Low Back Pain
Chronic non-specific low back pain is common among young adults and can lead to persistent pain, reduced physical function, decreased muscle strength, and impaired balance, affecting daily activities and quality of life. Core stability exercises are widely used in rehabilitation programs for low back pain, but the effectiveness of Swiss ball-based core stability training in young adults with chronic non-specific low back pain remains unclear.
The purpose of this study is to investigate whether Swiss ball-based core stability training can reduce pain and improve functional recovery in young men with chronic non-specific low back pain compared with conventional mat-based lumbar muscle exercises. Participants will be randomly assigned to either a Swiss ball core stability training group or a mat-based lumbar muscle training group and will complete a 6-week exercise intervention program.
The study will evaluate changes in pain intensity, disability related to low back pain, lumbar muscle strength, and dynamic balance ability. The study hypothesizes that Swiss ball-based core stability training will produce greater improvements in pain relief, physical function, muscle strength, and balance than conventional mat-based lumbar muscle exercises.
- Conditions
- Chronic Non-specific Low Back Pain
- Being tested
- Swiss ball-based core stability training, Mat-based lumbar muscle exercises
- Keywords
- chronic non-specific low back pain, core stability training
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Swiss ball-based core stability trainingBehavioural
Participants in this arm will perform core stability training using a Swiss ball as the primary exercise equipment. Before the formal training session, participants will complete a 5-minute supervised warm-up consisting of dynamic stretching exercises focusing on the spine, shoulders, and hips, together with light running and jumping activities for the lower extremities. The core stability program consists of six exercise components performed in a progressive sequence from easier to more difficult tasks, with gradual reductions in the base of support to increase instability and challenge trunk control. As participants adapt to the intervention over time, the training load will be periodically increased to optimize therapeutic effects. Following each training session, participants will complete 5 minutes of static stretching exercises as a cool-down activity.
Mat-based lumbar muscle exercisesBehavioural
Participants in this arm will perform lumbar muscle exercises using a mat as the primary exercise surface. Apart from the exercise equipment used, the overall training protocol will be identical to that of the Swiss ball-based core stability training group. Before the formal training session, participants will complete the same 5-minute supervised warm-up program consisting of dynamic stretching exercises and light running and jumping activities. After each training session, participants will also perform 5 minutes of static stretching exercises as a cool-down activity.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Swiss ball-based core stability training | Experimental | Participants in this arm will perform core stability training using a Swiss ball as the primary exercise equipment. Before the formal training session, participants will complete a 5-minute supervised warm-up consisting of dynamic stretching exercises focusing on the spine, shoulders, and hips, together with light running and jumping activities for the lower extremities. The core stability program consists of six exercise components performed in a progressive sequence from easier to more difficult tasks, with gradual reductions in the base of support to increase instability and challenge trunk control. As participants adapt to the intervention over time, the training load will be periodically increased to optimize therapeutic effects. Following each training session, participants will complete 5 minutes of static stretching exercises as a cool-down activity. Receives: Behavioral: Swiss ball-based core stability training |
| Mat-based lumbar muscle exercises | Active comparator | Participants in this arm will perform lumbar muscle exercises using a mat as the primary exercise surface. Apart from the exercise equipment used, the overall training protocol will be identical to that of the Swiss ball-based core stability training group. Before the formal training session, participants will complete the same 5-minute supervised warm-up program consisting of dynamic stretching exercises and light running and jumping activities. After each training session, participants will also perform 5 minutes of static stretching exercises as a cool-down activity. Receives: Behavioral: Mat-based lumbar muscle exercises |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Pain intensity
Pain intensity will be assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Participants will rate their current level of low back pain on a 10-cm scale ranging from 0 to 10, where 0 represents "no pain" and 10 represents "the worst pain imaginable." Higher scores indicate greater pain intensity.
Measured: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 6 weeks
Low back disability
Low back-related disability will be assessed using the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), a widely used measure of functional impairment associated with low back pain. The questionnaire consists of 10 items evaluating the impact of low back pain on activities of daily living. Each item is scored from 0 to 5, and the total score is converted into a percentage, with higher scores indicating greater disability.
Measured: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 6 weeks
Secondary outcomes (2)
Lumbar muscle strength
Lumbar flexor and extensor muscle strength will be measured using a Hoggan MicroFET 2 handheld dynamometer. Lumbar flexion strength will be assessed in the supine position, and lumbar extension strength will be assessed in the prone position. Participants will perform maximal isometric contractions against the dynamometer for approximately 3 seconds. Each test will be repeated five times, and the highest recorded value will be used for analysis. Muscle strength values will be recorded in pounds (lb).
Measured: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 6 weeks
Dynamic balance ability
Dynamic balance ability will be assessed using the Y-Balance Test (YBT). Participants will perform reach tasks in the anterior, posteromedial, and posterolateral directions while maintaining single-leg stance. Reach distances will be normalized to lower limb length and expressed as a composite score percentage. Higher scores indicate better dynamic balance performance.
Measured: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 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 Jul 2026
- Study start1 Jan 2021
- Primary completion1 Mar 2021
- Study completion1 Mar 2021
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- 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
- Care provider, Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 30 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Guangxi Normal University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07686237
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 2018010748
- Status last verified
- Jun 2026
- First submitted
- 30 Jun 2026
- Last updated
- 7 Jul 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 7 Jul 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Effects of Core Stability Training on Functional Recovery in Young Adults With Chronic Non-Specific Low Back Pain
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07686237
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 2018010748
- Conditions
- Chronic Non-specific Low Back Pain
- Keywords
- chronic non-specific low back pain, core stability training
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 30 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Guangxi Normal UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 1 Jan 2021 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 1 Mar 2021 (actual)
- Study completion
- 1 Mar 2021 (actual)
- First posted
- 7 Jul 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.
Chronic non-specific low back pain is common among young adults and can lead to persistent pain, reduced physical function, decreased muscle strength, and impaired balance, affecting daily activities and quality of life. Core stability exercises are widely used in rehabilitation programs for low back pain, but the effectiveness of Swiss ball-based core stability training in young adults with chronic non-specific low back pain remains unclear.
The purpose of this study is to investigate whether Swiss ball-based core stability training can reduce pain and improve functional recovery in young men with chronic non-specific low back pain compared with conventional mat-based lumbar muscle exercises. Participants will be randomly assigned to either a Swiss ball core stability training group or a mat-based lumbar muscle training group and will complete a 6-week exercise intervention program.
The study will evaluate changes in pain intensity, disability related to low back pain, lumbar muscle strength, and dynamic balance ability. The study hypothesizes that Swiss ball-based core stability training will produce greater improvements in pain relief, physical function, muscle strength, and balance than conventional mat-based lumbar muscle exercises.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Double blind (care provider, outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Swiss ball-based core stability training | Experimental | Behavioral: Swiss ball-based core stability trainingParticipants in this arm will perform core stability training using a Swiss ball as the primary exercise equipment. Before the formal training session, participants will complete a 5-minute supervised warm-up consisting of dynamic stretching exercises focusing on the spine, shoulders, and hips, together with light running and jumping activities for the lower extremities. The core stability program consists of six exercise components performed in a progressive sequence from easier to more difficult tasks, with gradual reductions in the base of support to increase instability and challenge trunk control. As participants adapt to the intervention over time, the training load will be periodically increased to optimize therapeutic effects. Following each training session, participants will complete 5 minutes of static stretching exercises as a cool-down activity. |
| Mat-based lumbar muscle exercises | Active comparator | Behavioral: Mat-based lumbar muscle exercisesParticipants in this arm will perform lumbar muscle exercises using a mat as the primary exercise surface. Apart from the exercise equipment used, the overall training protocol will be identical to that of the Swiss ball-based core stability training group. Before the formal training session, participants will complete the same 5-minute supervised warm-up program consisting of dynamic stretching exercises and light running and jumping activities. After each training session, participants will also perform 5 minutes of static stretching exercises as a cool-down activity. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 25 years
- Sex
- Male only
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (8 listed)
- Male participants aged 18 to 25 years.
- Diagnosis of chronic non-specific low back pain characterized by pain or discomfort located between the lower rib margin and the gluteal folds, with or without lower limb pain.
- No signs of nerve root compression and a negative straight leg raise test.
- No identifiable specific pathological or anatomical cause of low back pain.
- Baseline pain intensity score greater than 2 and less than 9 on the Visual Analog Scale (VAS).
Key exclusion criteria (7 listed)
- Failure to meet the diagnostic criteria for chronic non-specific low back pain.
- History of spinal trauma or spinal surgery.
- Presence of severe cardiovascular diseases, such as uncontrolled hypertension.
- Presence of severe metabolic diseases, such as gout.
- Presence of severe infectious diseases, such as pneumonia.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Swiss ball-based core stability trainingParticipants in this arm will perform core stability training using a Swiss ball as the primary exercise equipment. Before the formal training session, participants will complete a 5-minute supervised warm-up consisting of dynamic stretching exercises focusing on the spine, shoulders, and hips, together with light running and jumping activities for the lower extremities. The core stability program consists of six exercise components performed in a progressive sequence from easier to more difficult tasks, with gradual reductions in the base of support to increase instability and challenge trunk control. As participants adapt to the intervention over time, the training load will be periodically increased to optimize therapeutic effects. Following each training session, participants will complete 5 minutes of static stretching exercises as a cool-down activity. | Behavioural | Swiss ball-based core stability training |
| Mat-based lumbar muscle exercisesParticipants in this arm will perform lumbar muscle exercises using a mat as the primary exercise surface. Apart from the exercise equipment used, the overall training protocol will be identical to that of the Swiss ball-based core stability training group. Before the formal training session, participants will complete the same 5-minute supervised warm-up program consisting of dynamic stretching exercises and light running and jumping activities. After each training session, participants will also perform 5 minutes of static stretching exercises as a cool-down activity. | Behavioural | Mat-based lumbar muscle exercises |
Primary outcome
Pain intensity
Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 6 weeks
Pain intensity will be assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Participants will rate their current level of low back pain on a 10-cm scale ranging from 0 to 10, where 0 represents "no pain" and 10 represents "the worst pain imaginable." Higher scores indicate greater pain intensity.
Low back disability
Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 6 weeks
Low back-related disability will be assessed using the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), a widely used measure of functional impairment associated with low back pain. The questionnaire consists of 10 items evaluating the impact of low back pain on activities of daily living. Each item is scored from 0 to 5, and the total score is converted into a percentage, with higher scores indicating greater disability.
2 secondary outcomes
Lumbar muscle strength
Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 6 weeks
Dynamic balance ability
Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 6 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 7 Jul 2026.
- 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. 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 Swiss ball-based core stability training and Mat-based lumbar muscle exercises in people with Chronic Non-specific Low Back Pain, run by Guangxi Normal University at 1 site in China.
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 8 inclusion and 7 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 7 Jul 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 China. 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?
Pain intensity (time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 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 Jul 2026.