Chronic Nonspecific Low Back PainNCT07756021
Active Release Versus Positional Release Technique
A study testing Positional Release Therapy, Active Release Therapy and Baseline Treatment in people with Chronic Nonspecific Low Back Pain, run by Rashid Latif Medical College at 1 site in Pakistan.
Trial summary
Chronic Non-Specific Low Back Pain is the pain with tension, soreness or stiffness of lower back muscles lasting from 3 months or longer due to off unidentifiable cause. Low back pain (LBP), one of the most common musculoskeletal disorders seen in the general population and has effect on every age group. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 20 to 40 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Chronic Nonspecific Low Back Pain
- What is being tested?
- Positional Release Therapy, Active Release Therapy and Baseline Treatment
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 30 participants
- Where
- 1 sitePakistan
- Study dates
- 8 Aug 2025to 10 Jan 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 20 to 40 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- Patients with Low Back Pain (for more than 3 months) with Mild and Moderate Intensity, Tenderness over Low Back, Buttocks and Hip Joint
Who cannot join
- Patients with Inflammatory Conditions (RA, Ankylosing Spondylosis)
- Patients with previous history of surgery around Hip and Knee
- Patients with Peripheral Vascular Disease
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Official title: Comparative Effects of Active Release and Positional Release Technique on Pain and Flexibility in Patients With Chronic Nonspecific Low Back Pain.
Chronic Non-Specific Low Back Pain is the pain with tension, soreness or stiffness of lower back muscles lasting from 3 months or longer due to off unidentifiable cause. Low back pain (LBP), one of the most common musculoskeletal disorders seen in the general population and has effect on every age group. The objective of the study is to compare effects of positional and active release technique on pain and flexibility among chronic non-specific low back pain patients. This study was a Randomized Clinical trial and was conducted at Arif Memorial teaching hospital. A sample size of Total 30 patients was taken in this study using a consecutive sampling technique. Patients were randomly assigned into two groups. Group A was treated with positional release therapy (PRT) and Group B was treated with active release therapy (ART). Then the evaluation was done on day one as pre-treatment values and post treatment values were assessed after receiving the treatment session of 6 days for 2 consecutive weeks. The collected data was analyzed on SPSS 25. By using the Shapiro-wilk test found that the data was normally distributed with a p-value>0.05. By using paired t-test it has been that both techniques show significant results are effective for treating chronic non-specific low back pain. Using independent t-test with p-value<0.05 it has been found that Positional Release Technique being superior to Active Release Technique with p-value<0.05 by bringing the reduced flexibility to near normal and pain to the lowest level. The results suggest that both Active Release Technique and Positional Release Technique are effective in reducing the pain and improving the flexibility of the muscles in patients with Chronic non-specific low back pain. But Positional Release Technique has shown significant reduction in pain and increasing the flexibility of the muscles thus considered to be more effective than Active Release Technique.
- Conditions
- Chronic Nonspecific Low Back Pain
- Being tested
- Positional Release Therapy, Active Release Therapy, Baseline Treatment
- Keywords
- Active release therapy (ART), Chronic non-specific Low back pain, Positional release therapy (PRT), flexibility
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Positional Release TherapyOther
Positional Release Therapy: For Hamstring, Piriformis, Gastrocnemius and Iliopsoas
Active Release TherapyOther
Active Release Therapy: For Hamstring, Piriformis, Gastrocnemius and Iliopsoas
Baseline TreatmentOther
Hot pack
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Baseline treatment + Positional Release Technique | Experimental | Not described Receives: Other: Positional Release Therapy; Other: Baseline Treatment |
| Baseline treatment + Active Release Technique | Active comparator | Not described Receives: Other: Active Release Therapy; Other: Baseline Treatment |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Numerical Pain Rating Scale
Pain intensity was assessed using the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), a self-reported measure ranging from 0 to 10, where 0 represents "no pain" and 10 represents "the worst pain imaginable." Higher scores indicate greater pain intensity and therefore a worse outcome.
Measured: Pre and post 2 weeks
Active Knee Extension Test
Hamstring flexibility was assessed using the Active Knee Extension Test (AKET). Participants were positioned supine with the hip flexed to 90°, and active knee extension range of motion was measured in degrees (°) using a universal goniometer. The measurement was referenced from 0° (full knee extension). Higher knee extension values indicate a greater range of knee extension and therefore greater hamstring flexibility and a better outcome. Conversely, lower values indicate greater limitation in knee extension and reduced hamstring flexibility.
Measured: Pre and Post 2 weeks
Flexion, Adduction, and Internal Rotation (FAIR) Test
Piriformis flexibility was assessed using the Flexion, Adduction, and Internal Rotation (FAIR) Test. Hip internal rotation range of motion was measured in degrees (°) using a universal goniometer. The measurement was recorded from 0° (neutral position), with higher values indicating greater hip internal rotation range of motion and therefore greater flexibility. Thus, higher scores indicate a better outcome, reflecting greater hip mobility/flexibility.
Measured: Pre and 2 weeks post intervention
Thomas Test
Hip flexor flexibility was assessed using the Thomas Test, with hip extension range of motion measured in degrees (°) using a universal goniometer. The neutral hip position was defined as 0°. Positive values indicate hip extension beyond the neutral position, whereas negative values indicate a hip flexion position and greater hip flexor tightness. Higher hip extension values indicate greater hip flexor flexibility and therefore a better outcome.
Measured: Pre and Post 2 weeks intervention
Ankle Dorsiflexion Test
It was assessed using a universal goniometer and recorded in degrees (°). The measurement ranges from 0° to 20°, with 0° representing the neutral ankle position and higher values indicating greater ankle dorsiflexion range of motion. Therefore, higher scores represent a better outcome, reflecting greater ankle mobility.
Measured: Pre and 2 week Post intervention
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted10 Aug 2026
- Study start8 Aug 2025
- Primary completion10 Aug 2025
- Study completion10 Jan 2026
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (6)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Chronic Nonspecific 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
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 30 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Rashid Latif Medical College
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Aleena Waheed, Rashid Latif Medical College
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07756021
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- IRB/2023/113
- Status last verified
- Aug 2026
- First submitted
- 5 Aug 2026
- Last updated
- 13 Aug 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Undecided
Publications
Javed Z, Safdar M. Comparative effects of post isometric relaxation and active release technique of calf muscles in young females; Randomized Clinical Trial. J Pak Med Assoc. 2026 Mar;76(3):353-357. doi: 10.47391/JPMA.22142.
PubMed 42017715Palermo M, Reich S, Rives M. The Effect of Active Release Technique on Hamstring Extensibility: A Critically Appraised Topic. J Sport Rehabil. 2024 Jan 30;33(3):202-207. doi: 10.1123/jsr.2023-0229. Print 2024 Mar 1.
PubMed 38290513Alarab A, Daoud R, Hegazy MM. Positional Release Technique Versus Muscle Energy Technique for Patients With Nonspecific Low Back Pain With Facet Joint Restriction: A Pilot Randomized Comparative Study. Pain Res Manag. 2026;2026(1):e9964889. doi: 10.1155/prm/9964889.
PubMed 41873799Yadav R, Sharma S. Efficacy of Myofascial Release Therapy and Positional Release Therapy in Patients with Upper Trapezius Trigger Points: Study Protocol of a Double-blinded Randomized Clinical Trial. Int J Ther Massage Bodywork. 2024 Dec 12;17(4):49-57. doi: 10.3822/ijtmb.v17i4.1041. eCollection 2024 Dec.
PubMed 39669544Sultatos LG, Minor LD. Biotransformation of paraoxon and p-nitrophenol by isolated perfused mouse livers. Toxicology. 1985 Aug;36(2-3):159-69. doi: 10.1016/0300-483x(85)90051-4.
PubMed 4049428Danazumi MS, Zakari UU, Yakasai AM, Speicher TE, Dermody G, Hassan AB. Positional release technique in the management of low back pain: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Bodyw Mov Ther. 2025 Oct;44:295-311. doi: 10.1016/j.jbmt.2025.05.021. Epub 2025 May 13.
PubMed 40954594
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 13 Aug 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Comparative Effects of Active Release and Positional Release Technique on Pain and Flexibility in Patients With Chronic Nonspecific Low Back Pain.
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07756021
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- IRB/2023/113
- Conditions
- Chronic Nonspecific Low Back Pain
- Keywords
- Active release therapy (ART), Chronic non-specific Low back pain, Positional release therapy (PRT), flexibility
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 30 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Rashid Latif Medical CollegeUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 8 Aug 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 10 Aug 2025 (actual)
- Study completion
- 10 Jan 2026 (actual)
- First posted
- 10 Aug 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 the pain with tension, soreness or stiffness of lower back muscles lasting from 3 months or longer due to off unidentifiable cause. Low back pain (LBP), one of the most common musculoskeletal disorders seen in the general population and has effect on every age group. The objective of the study is to compare effects of positional and active release technique on pain and flexibility among chronic non-specific low back pain patients. This study was a Randomized Clinical trial and was conducted at Arif Memorial teaching hospital. A sample size of Total 30 patients was taken in this study using a consecutive sampling technique. Patients were randomly assigned into two groups. Group A was treated with positional release therapy (PRT) and Group B was treated with active release therapy (ART). Then the evaluation was done on day one as pre-treatment values and post treatment values were assessed after receiving the treatment session of 6 days for 2 consecutive weeks. The collected data was analyzed on SPSS 25. By using the Shapiro-wilk test found that the data was normally distributed with a p-value>0.05. By using paired t-test it has been that both techniques show significant results are effective for treating chronic non-specific low back pain. Using independent t-test with p-value<0.05 it has been found that Positional Release Technique being superior to Active Release Technique with p-value<0.05 by bringing the reduced flexibility to near normal and pain to the lowest level. The results suggest that both Active Release Technique and Positional Release Technique are effective in reducing the pain and improving the flexibility of the muscles in patients with Chronic non-specific low back pain. But Positional Release Technique has shown significant reduction in pain and increasing the flexibility of the muscles thus considered to be more effective than Active Release Technique.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Baseline treatment + Positional Release Technique | Experimental | Other: Positional Release Therapy, Other: Baseline Treatment |
| Baseline treatment + Active Release Technique | Active comparator | Other: Active Release Therapy, Other: Baseline Treatment |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 20 to 40 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (1 listed)
- Patients with Low Back Pain (for more than 3 months) with Mild and Moderate Intensity, Tenderness over Low Back, Buttocks and Hip Joint
Key exclusion criteria (3 listed)
- Patients with Inflammatory Conditions (RA, Ankylosing Spondylosis)
- Patients with previous history of surgery around Hip and Knee
- Patients with Peripheral Vascular Disease
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Positional Release TherapyPositional Release Therapy: For Hamstring, Piriformis, Gastrocnemius and Iliopsoas | Other | Baseline treatment + Positional Release Technique |
| Active Release TherapyActive Release Therapy: For Hamstring, Piriformis, Gastrocnemius and Iliopsoas | Other | Baseline treatment + Active Release Technique |
| Baseline TreatmentHot pack | Other | Baseline treatment + Active Release Technique, Baseline treatment + Positional Release Technique |
Primary outcome
Numerical Pain Rating Scale
Time frame: Pre and post 2 weeks
Pain intensity was assessed using the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), a self-reported measure ranging from 0 to 10, where 0 represents "no pain" and 10 represents "the worst pain imaginable." Higher scores indicate greater pain intensity and therefore a worse outcome.
Active Knee Extension Test
Time frame: Pre and Post 2 weeks
Hamstring flexibility was assessed using the Active Knee Extension Test (AKET). Participants were positioned supine with the hip flexed to 90°, and active knee extension range of motion was measured in degrees (°) using a universal goniometer. The measurement was referenced from 0° (full knee extension). Higher knee extension values indicate a greater range of knee extension and therefore greater hamstring flexibility and a better outcome. Conversely, lower values indicate greater limitation in knee extension and reduced hamstring flexibility.
Flexion, Adduction, and Internal Rotation (FAIR) Test
Time frame: Pre and 2 weeks post intervention
Piriformis flexibility was assessed using the Flexion, Adduction, and Internal Rotation (FAIR) Test. Hip internal rotation range of motion was measured in degrees (°) using a universal goniometer. The measurement was recorded from 0° (neutral position), with higher values indicating greater hip internal rotation range of motion and therefore greater flexibility. Thus, higher scores indicate a better outcome, reflecting greater hip mobility/flexibility.
Thomas Test
Time frame: Pre and Post 2 weeks intervention
Hip flexor flexibility was assessed using the Thomas Test, with hip extension range of motion measured in degrees (°) using a universal goniometer. The neutral hip position was defined as 0°. Positive values indicate hip extension beyond the neutral position, whereas negative values indicate a hip flexion position and greater hip flexor tightness. Higher hip extension values indicate greater hip flexor flexibility and therefore a better outcome.
Ankle Dorsiflexion Test
Time frame: Pre and 2 week Post intervention
It was assessed using a universal goniometer and recorded in degrees (°). The measurement ranges from 0° to 20°, with 0° representing the neutral ankle position and higher values indicating greater ankle dorsiflexion range of motion. Therefore, higher scores represent a better outcome, reflecting greater ankle mobility.
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 13 Aug 2026.
- Results publication: PubMed 42017715Javed Z, Safdar M. Comparative effects of post isometric relaxation and active release technique of calf muscles in young females; Randomized Clinical Trial. J Pak Med Assoc. 2026 Mar;76(3):353-357. doi: 10.47391/JPMA.22142.
- Results publication: PubMed 38290513Palermo M, Reich S, Rives M. The Effect of Active Release Technique on Hamstring Extensibility: A Critically Appraised Topic. J Sport Rehabil. 2024 Jan 30;33(3):202-207. doi: 10.1123/jsr.2023-0229. Print 2024 Mar 1.
- Results publication: PubMed 41873799Alarab A, Daoud R, Hegazy MM. Positional Release Technique Versus Muscle Energy Technique for Patients With Nonspecific Low Back Pain With Facet Joint Restriction: A Pilot Randomized Comparative Study. Pain Res Manag. 2026;2026(1):e9964889. doi: 10.1155/prm/9964889.
- Results publication: PubMed 39669544Yadav R, Sharma S. Efficacy of Myofascial Release Therapy and Positional Release Therapy in Patients with Upper Trapezius Trigger Points: Study Protocol of a Double-blinded Randomized Clinical Trial. Int J Ther Massage Bodywork. 2024 Dec 12;17(4):49-57. doi: 10.3822/ijtmb.v17i4.1041. eCollection 2024 Dec.
- Results publication: PubMed 4049428Sultatos LG, Minor LD. Biotransformation of paraoxon and p-nitrophenol by isolated perfused mouse livers. Toxicology. 1985 Aug;36(2-3):159-69. doi: 10.1016/0300-483x(85)90051-4.
- Results publication: PubMed 40954594Danazumi MS, Zakari UU, Yakasai AM, Speicher TE, Dermody G, Hassan AB. Positional release technique in the management of low back pain: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Bodyw Mov Ther. 2025 Oct;44:295-311. doi: 10.1016/j.jbmt.2025.05.021. Epub 2025 May 13.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Undecided
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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 Positional Release Therapy, Active Release Therapy and Baseline Treatment in people with Chronic Nonspecific Low Back Pain, run by Rashid Latif Medical College 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 1 inclusion and 3 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 13 Aug 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?
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?
Numerical Pain Rating Scale (time frame: Pre and post 2 weeks). The study lists 5 primary outcomes in all. 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 NCT07756021, which also lists 6 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 13 Aug 2026.