Chronic Non Specific Mechanical Low Back PainA RCTNCT07845760
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.
A study testing Lumbar Stabilization Exercises and heating pad and Scapular Stabilization Exercises (YTWL) + Lumbar Stabilization Exercises + Heating Pad in people with Chronic Non Specific Mechanical Low Back Pain, run by Dow University of Health Sciences at 1 site in Pakistan.
Trial summary
Chronic low back pain is a common problem that can make daily activities difficult. Exercises that strengthen and stabilize the lower back are commonly used to reduce pain and improve movement. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 50 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Chronic Non Specific Mechanical Low Back Pain
- What is being tested?
- Lumbar Stabilization Exercises and heating pad and Scapular Stabilization Exercises (YTWL) + Lumbar Stabilization Exercises + Heating Pad
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 70 participants
- Where
- 1 sitePakistan
- Study dates
- 15 Sep 2026to 20 Apr 2027
- 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 50 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- Both gender (Male and female) Age ranges between 18-50 years. Patient having LBP for more or equal to 3 months due to mechanical cause referred from physician.
- Had no prior physical therapy sessions for CLBP in previous month. NPRS score = 3-6/10 Modified Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) score ranging from 11 to 30 out of 50 (21-60%)
Who cannot join
- Low back pain due to any systemic cause. History of known scapular pathology. (Scapular fracture, Sprengel deformity, Os acromiale, injury to neurovascular structures of scapular muscles) History of specific causes of Low Back Pain (Spinal stenosis, Spondylosis, Spondylolisthesis, Disc herniation, Cauda equine syndrome) Any history of infective or inflammatory spinal pathology, spinal surgery and spinal fracture.
- History of any psychological disorders Pregnancy Malignancy Obvious neurological symptoms.
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
Dow University of Health Sciences
Karachi, Sindh, 75290
Sadia Akhter, DPT, 03312753480, sadiaakhter333@gmail.com
Sadia Akhter, Doctor of Physical Therapy
About this study
Official title: Effect of Lumbar Stabilization Exercises With and Without YTWL Exercise on Reducing Chronic Low Back Pain and Related Disability. A Randomized Clinical Trial.
Chronic low back pain is a common problem that can make daily activities difficult. Exercises that strengthen and stabilize the lower back are commonly used to reduce pain and improve movement.
This study will examine whether adding shoulder-blade (scapular) strengthening exercises called YTWL exercises to regular lower-back exercises can provide better results than lower-back exercises alone.
Read more
A total of 70 people with chronic non-specific low back pain will participate. They will be divided into two groups:
Group 1: Lower-back stabilization exercises + heating pad Group 2: Lower-back stabilization exercises + YTWL shoulder-blade exercises + heating pad
Pain and difficulty in performing daily activities will be measured before treatment and after 4 weeks.
The purpose of this study is to find out whether improving the strength and stability of the shoulder-blade muscles along with the lower-back muscles can reduce pain and disability more effectively.
In simple words: We want to know whether exercising both the upper back/shoulder-blade muscles and lower-back muscles works better for chronic low back pain than exercising the lower back alone.
Read the detailed description
Background:
Chronic low back pain is a common health problem that can affect a person's ability to work, exercise, sleep, and perform everyday activities. In many people, the exact cause of the pain cannot be identified. This is known as non-specific chronic low back pain (NSCLBP). Chronic low back pain is generally considered pain in the lower back that continues for more than three months without a specific disease or injury being identified as the cause.
People with chronic low back pain may experience pain, stiffness, difficulty moving, reduced muscle strength and endurance, and difficulty performing activities such as walking, sitting, standing, bending, or lifting. Factors such as prolonged sitting, poor posture, reduced muscle endurance, and poor control of body movements may contribute to the problem.
Purpose of the Study:
Exercise is an important part of physiotherapy treatment for chronic low back pain. Lumbar stabilization exercises (LSE) are commonly used to improve the strength and control of the muscles that support the spine. These exercises can help reduce pain and improve a person's ability to perform daily activities.
However, the muscles of the lower back do not work alone. The muscles around the abdomen, pelvis, upper back, and shoulder blades work together to control body movement. This connection is known as the kinetic chain. Weakness or poor endurance of the muscles around the shoulder blades may affect the way the trunk and pelvis move and may influence lower-back function.
This study will therefore investigate whether adding scapular stabilization exercises (SSE), specifically YTWL exercises, to conventional lumbar stabilization exercises can provide additional benefits for people with chronic non-specific low back pain.
What are YTWL exercises? YTWL exercises are simple exercises designed to strengthen and improve the control and endurance of muscles around the shoulder blades and upper back. The exercises involve moving the arms into positions that resemble the letters Y, T, W, and L. These movements target muscles such as the trapezius, rhomboids, and serratus anterior, which help keep the shoulder blades stable.
What will happen in the study? A total of 70 people with chronic non-specific low back pain will be included in the study. Participants will be recruited from the Physical Therapy Outpatient Department at Dow University Hospital, Ojha Campus.
Participants will be divided into two groups:
Group 1 (Control Group): Participants will receive conventional lumbar stabilization exercises along with a heating pad.
Group 2 (Experimental Group): Participants will receive conventional lumbar stabilization exercises, YTWL scapular stabilization exercises, and a heating pad.
Both groups will receive treatment for 4 weeks.
Before starting the treatment and after completing the 4-week treatment period, participants' outcomes will be assessed. The main areas being assessed are pain and disability.
Assessment of Pain:
Pain intensity will be measured using the Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS). Participants will rate their pain on a scale from 0 to 10, where 0 means no pain and 10 represents the worst possible pain.
Assessment of Disability:
The effect of back pain on daily activities will be assessed using the Modified Oswestry Disability Index (MODI). This questionnaire evaluates how back pain affects activities such as walking, sitting, standing, lifting, personal care, and other daily activities.
The assessments will be performed before the treatment begins and after 4 weeks of treatment. The results from the two groups will then be compared using statistical analysis through SPSS software.
Why is this study important? The study may help determine whether adding exercises for the shoulder-blade muscles to conventional lower-back exercises provides additional benefits for people with chronic low back pain.
If the combined exercise program produces better results, it may provide physiotherapists with an additional exercise approach for managing patients with chronic non-specific low back pain. It may also help patients improve their physical function and reduce the effect of back pain on their daily lives.
For patients and families:
The study does not involve surgery or invasive procedures. It focuses on therapeutic exercises and a heating pad. Participants will be monitored during the treatment period, and their pain and ability to perform daily activities will be assessed before and after the intervention.
Overall aim:
The overall aim of this study is to determine whether adding YTWL scapular stabilization exercises to conventional lumbar stabilization exercises is more effective in reducing pain and disability than lumbar stabilization exercises alone in people with chronic non-specific low back pain.
- Being tested
- Lumbar Stabilization Exercises and heating pad, Scapular Stabilization Exercises (YTWL) + Lumbar Stabilization Exercises + Heating Pad
- Keywords
- Lumbago, Lumbar Stabilization Exercise, Kinetic Chain, Scapular Stabilization Exercise, Thoracolumbar Fascia
- 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.
Lumbar Stabilization Exercises and heating padOther
Participants in the control group will receive conventional lumbar stabilization exercises (LSE) along with a heating pad for 4 weeks, with the aim of reducing low back pain and related disability.
Scapular Stabilization Exercises (YTWL) + Lumbar Stabilization Exercises + Heating PadOther
Participants in the experimental group will receive lumbar stabilization exercises (LSE) combined with YTWL scapular stabilization exercises and a heating pad for 4 weeks, with the aim of reducing low back pain and related disability.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Control Group (A) | Active comparator | Lumbar Stabilization Exercises (LSE) + Heating Pad Receives: Other: Lumbar Stabilization Exercises and heating pad |
| Experimental Group (B) | Experimental | Lumbar Stabilization Exercises (LSE) + YTWL Scapular Stabilization Exercises + Heating Pad Receives: Other: Scapular Stabilization Exercises (YTWL) + Lumbar Stabilization Exercises + Heating Pad |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Modified Oswestry Disability Index (MODI)
The Modified Oswestry Disability Index (MODI) is a questionnaire used to measure the level of disability caused by low back pain and how it affects a person's daily activities. It assesses areas such as pain, personal care, lifting, walking, sitting, standing, sleeping, social life, and traveling. Participants complete the questionnaire before the intervention and after 4 weeks, and the score is used to determine changes in disability following treatment.
Measured: Before and after 4 weeks of intervention.
Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS)
The Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) is a simple 0-10 scale used to measure the intensity of a patient's pain. 0 represents "no pain," while 10 represents "the worst possible pain."
Measured: Participants will rate the intensity of their low back pain at the time of assessment (current pain), before the intervention and after 4 weeks of treatment.
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted29 Sep 2026
- Study start15 Sep 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion20 Feb 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion20 Apr 2027 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Chronic Non Specific 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
- The control group will receive lumbar stabilization exercises (LSE) with a heating pad, while the experimental group will receive LSE combined with YTWL scapular stabilization exercises and a heating pad for 4 weeks. Pain and disability will be assessed before and after the intervention using the NPRS and MODI scales.
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 70 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Dow University of Health Sciences
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07845760
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- Sadia Akhter
- Acronym
- A RCT
- Status last verified
- Sep 2026
- First submitted
- 22 Sep 2026
- Last updated
- 29 Sep 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- Yes
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No: No individual participant data will be shared. Only aggregate, de-identified study results may be reported or published.
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 29 Sep 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Effect of Lumbar Stabilization Exercises With and Without YTWL Exercise on Reducing Chronic Low Back Pain and Related Disability. A Randomized Clinical Trial.
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07845760
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- A RCT / Sadia Akhter
- Keywords
- Lumbago, Lumbar Stabilization Exercise, Kinetic Chain, Scapular Stabilization Exercise, Thoracolumbar Fascia
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Not yet recruiting
- Enrolment
- 70 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Dow University of Health SciencesUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 15 Sep 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion
- 20 Feb 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 20 Apr 2027 (estimated)
- First posted
- 29 Sep 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 low back pain is a common problem that can make daily activities difficult. Exercises that strengthen and stabilize the lower back are commonly used to reduce pain and improve movement.
This study will examine whether adding shoulder-blade (scapular) strengthening exercises called YTWL exercises to regular lower-back exercises can provide better results than lower-back exercises alone.
A total of 70 people with chronic non-specific low back pain will participate. They will be divided into two groups:
Group 1: Lower-back stabilization exercises + heating pad Group 2: Lower-back stabilization exercises + YTWL shoulder-blade exercises + heating pad
Pain and difficulty in performing daily activities will be measured before treatment and after 4 weeks.
The purpose of this study is to find out whether improving the strength and stability of the shoulder-blade muscles along with the lower-back muscles can reduce pain and disability more effectively.
In simple words: We want to know whether exercising both the upper back/shoulder-blade muscles and lower-back muscles works better for chronic low back pain than exercising the lower back alone.
Detailed description
Background:
Chronic low back pain is a common health problem that can affect a person's ability to work, exercise, sleep, and perform everyday activities. In many people, the exact cause of the pain cannot be identified. This is known as non-specific chronic low back pain (NSCLBP). Chronic low back pain is generally considered pain in the lower back that continues for more than three months without a specific disease or injury being identified as the cause.
People with chronic low back pain may experience pain, stiffness, difficulty moving, reduced muscle strength and endurance, and difficulty performing activities such as walking, sitting, standing, bending, or lifting. Factors such as prolonged sitting, poor posture, reduced muscle endurance, and poor control of body movements may contribute to the problem.
Purpose of the Study:
Exercise is an important part of physiotherapy treatment for chronic low back pain. Lumbar stabilization exercises (LSE) are commonly used to improve the strength and control of the muscles that support the spine. These exercises can help reduce pain and improve a person's ability to perform daily activities.
However, the muscles of the lower back do not work alone. The muscles around the abdomen, pelvis, upper back, and shoulder blades work together to control body movement. This connection is known as the kinetic chain. Weakness or poor endurance of the muscles around the shoulder blades may affect the way the trunk and pelvis move and may influence lower-back function.
This study will therefore investigate whether adding scapular stabilization exercises (SSE), specifically YTWL exercises, to conventional lumbar stabilization exercises can provide additional benefits for people with chronic non-specific low back pain.
What are YTWL exercises? YTWL exercises are simple exercises designed to strengthen and improve the control and endurance of muscles around the shoulder blades and upper back. The exercises involve moving the arms into positions that resemble the letters Y, T, W, and L. These movements target muscles such as the trapezius, rhomboids, and serratus anterior, which help keep the shoulder blades stable.
What will happen in the study? A total of 70 people with chronic non-specific low back pain will be included in the study. Participants will be recruited from the Physical Therapy Outpatient Department at Dow University Hospital, Ojha Campus.
Participants will be divided into two groups:
Group 1 (Control Group): Participants will receive conventional lumbar stabilization exercises along with a heating pad.
Group 2 (Experimental Group): Participants will receive conventional lumbar stabilization exercises, YTWL scapular stabilization exercises, and a heating pad.
Both groups will receive treatment for 4 weeks.
Before starting the treatment and after completing the 4-week treatment period, participants' outcomes will be assessed. The main areas being assessed are pain and disability.
Assessment of Pain:
Pain intensity will be measured using the Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS). Participants will rate their pain on a scale from 0 to 10, where 0 means no pain and 10 represents the worst possible pain.
Assessment of Disability:
The effect of back pain on daily activities will be assessed using the Modified Oswestry Disability Index (MODI). This questionnaire evaluates how back pain affects activities such as walking, sitting, standing, lifting, personal care, and other daily activities.
The assessments will be performed before the treatment begins and after 4 weeks of treatment. The results from the two groups will then be compared using statistical analysis through SPSS software.
Why is this study important? The study may help determine whether adding exercises for the shoulder-blade muscles to conventional lower-back exercises provides additional benefits for people with chronic low back pain.
If the combined exercise program produces better results, it may provide physiotherapists with an additional exercise approach for managing patients with chronic non-specific low back pain. It may also help patients improve their physical function and reduce the effect of back pain on their daily lives.
For patients and families:
The study does not involve surgery or invasive procedures. It focuses on therapeutic exercises and a heating pad. Participants will be monitored during the treatment period, and their pain and ability to perform daily activities will be assessed before and after the intervention.
Overall aim:
The overall aim of this study is to determine whether adding YTWL scapular stabilization exercises to conventional lumbar stabilization exercises is more effective in reducing pain and disability than lumbar stabilization exercises alone in people with chronic non-specific 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
- The control group will receive lumbar stabilization exercises (LSE) with a heating pad, while the experimental group will receive LSE combined with YTWL scapular stabilization exercises and a heating pad for 4 weeks. Pain and disability will be assessed before and after the intervention using the NPRS and MODI scales.
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Control Group (A) | Active comparator | Other: Lumbar Stabilization Exercises and heating padLumbar Stabilization Exercises (LSE) + Heating Pad |
| Experimental Group (B) | Experimental | Other: Scapular Stabilization Exercises (YTWL) + Lumbar Stabilization Exercises + Heating PadLumbar Stabilization Exercises (LSE) + YTWL Scapular Stabilization Exercises + Heating Pad |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 50 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (2 listed)
- Both gender (Male and female) Age ranges between 18-50 years. Patient having LBP for more or equal to 3 months due to mechanical cause referred from physician.
- Had no prior physical therapy sessions for CLBP in previous month. NPRS score = 3-6/10 Modified Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) score ranging from 11 to 30 out of 50 (21-60%)
Key exclusion criteria (2 listed)
- Low back pain due to any systemic cause. History of known scapular pathology. (Scapular fracture, Sprengel deformity, Os acromiale, injury to neurovascular structures of scapular muscles) History of specific causes of Low Back Pain (Spinal stenosis, Spondylosis, Spondylolisthesis, Disc herniation, Cauda equine syndrome) Any history of infective or inflammatory spinal pathology, spinal surgery and spinal fracture.
- History of any psychological disorders Pregnancy Malignancy Obvious neurological symptoms.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Lumbar Stabilization Exercises and heating padParticipants in the control group will receive conventional lumbar stabilization exercises (LSE) along with a heating pad for 4 weeks, with the aim of reducing low back pain and related disability. | Other | Control Group (A) |
| Scapular Stabilization Exercises (YTWL) + Lumbar Stabilization Exercises + Heating PadParticipants in the experimental group will receive lumbar stabilization exercises (LSE) combined with YTWL scapular stabilization exercises and a heating pad for 4 weeks, with the aim of reducing low back pain and related disability. | Other | Experimental Group (B) |
Primary outcome
Modified Oswestry Disability Index (MODI)
Time frame: Before and after 4 weeks of intervention.
The Modified Oswestry Disability Index (MODI) is a questionnaire used to measure the level of disability caused by low back pain and how it affects a person's daily activities. It assesses areas such as pain, personal care, lifting, walking, sitting, standing, sleeping, social life, and traveling. Participants complete the questionnaire before the intervention and after 4 weeks, and the score is used to determine changes in disability following treatment.
Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS)
Time frame: Participants will rate the intensity of their low back pain at the time of assessment (current pain), before the intervention and after 4 weeks of treatment.
The Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) is a simple 0-10 scale used to measure the intensity of a patient's pain. 0 represents "no pain," while 10 represents "the worst possible pain."
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 29 Sep 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No. No individual participant data will be shared. Only aggregate, de-identified study results may be reported or published.
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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.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Lumbar Stabilization Exercises and heating pad and Scapular Stabilization Exercises (YTWL) + Lumbar Stabilization Exercises + Heating Pad in people with Chronic Non Specific Mechanical 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 2 inclusion and 2 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 29 Sep 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 Sadia Akhter, Doctor of Physical Therapy (+92-3312753480, sadiaakhter333@gmail.com), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Modified Oswestry Disability Index (MODI) (time frame: Before and after 4 weeks of intervention.). 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 29 Sep 2026; AzTrials last refreshed its copy on 26 Oct 2026.