Hypo-pressive Abdominal Exercise on Inspiratory Muscle Strength, Diaphragm Thickness and Pain in Chronic Nonspecific Low Back Pain

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The purpose of this study will be to assess the effects of an 8-week hypo-pressive abdominal exercise program on Inspiratory muscle strength, diaphragm thickness, pressure pain threshold and disability in patients with non-specific chronic low back pain. A randomized clinical trial will be carried out. A total sample of 40 patients with non-specific chronic low back pain will be recruited and divided into 2 groups including an experimental group (n=20) which will receive an 8-week hypo-pressive abdominal exercise program and a control group (n=20) which will not receive any training program. Inspiratory muscle strength, diaphragm thickness, pressure pain threshold and disability will be assessed.

Official Title
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Effects of Hypo-pressive Abdominal Exercise on Inspiratory Muscle Strength, Diaphragm Thickness and Pain in Patients With Chronic Nonspecific Low Back Pain

Conditions
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Low Back Pain

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: Hypo-pressive abdominal exercise intervention


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Patients with chronic non-specific low back pain Exclusion Criteria: Congenital diseases Rheumatic or neuro-muscular diseases Respiratory conditions Surgery Pregnancy

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 65 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Single


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Hypo-pressive abdominal exercise program<br> | Other: Hypo-pressive abdominal exercise intervention<br>* An 8-week hypo-pressive abdominal exercise program<br>|
| No Intervention: No training program<br> | |

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Inspiratory muscle strength | Inspiratory muscle strength will be measured in % by a POWER-breathe device | Change from baseline inspiratory muscle strength at 8 weeks | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Diaphragm muscle thickness | Diaphragm muscle thickness will be measured in mm by an ultrasound device | Change from baseline diaphragm muscle thickness at 8 weeks | 
| Pressure pain threshold | Pressure pain threshold will be measured in kg/cm2 by an algometer | Change from baseline pressure pain threshold at 8 weeks | 
| Disability | Pain-related disability score will be measured by the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire. Total score ranges from 0 to 24. Higher scores represent higher levels of pain-related disability. | Change from baseline disability at 8 weeks |