Clinical trial NCT06156163: Effectiveness of Perturbation Training in Nonspecific Low Back Pain
Official title: Effectiveness of Perturbation Training in Nonspecific Low Back Pain
Study type: INTERVENTIONAL
Overall status: COMPLETED
Phase: NA
Conditions: Low Back Pain
Keywords: low back pain
nonspecific low back pain
Lead sponsor: Istanbul Arel University
Sponsor class: OTHER
First posted: 2023-12-05
Enrollment: 44
Sex: ALL
Minimum age (years): 18
Maximum age (years): 50
Standard ages: ADULT
Accepts healthy volunteers: no
Allocation: RANDOMIZED
Intervention model: PARALLEL
Primary purpose: TREATMENT

Brief summary: Nonspecific low back pain is defined as low back pain that cannot be associated with a specific identified pathology. Many methods such as patient education, medical treatment, physical modalities, exercise, manual therapy, massage, traction and cognitive behavioral therapy are used in the treatment of nonspecific low back pain. Spinal stabilization exercises, which are among the therapeutic exercises, aim to improve and improve muscle control to compensate for any loss of muscle movement caused by degenerative changes or injury. Perturbation training, which is among the neuromuscular exercises, is an intervention that aims to improve the control of rapid balance reactions and involves repetitive postural distortions. In perturbation training, the surface is moved in multiple directions with different forces and moments. The aim of this exercise is to develop the stabilization response that will be created by stresses applied from different directions. It is believed that the number of motor units participating in contraction and proprioceptive input will increase with perturbation exercise. Although the number of studies on low back pain is quite limited, it has been stated that applications that provide perturbation can reduce the incidence of low back pain and provide improvement in neuromuscular control of spinal stability. In the light of these data, the aim of this study is to investigate the effects of perturbation training given in addition to the exercise program on trunk muscle endurance, pain, disability, functionality, fear avoidance beliefs and quality of life parameters in individuals with nonspecific low back pain.

Detailed description: Nonspecific low back pain is defined as low back pain that cannot be associated with a specific identified pathology. Many methods such as patient education, medical treatment, physical modalities, exercise, manual therapy, massage, traction and cognitive behavioral therapy are used in the treatment of nonspecific low back pain. In current guidelines, it has been reported that patient education and therapeutic exercises are treatment methods with a high level of evidence. Spinal stabilization exercises, which are among the therapeutic exercises, aim to improve and improve muscle control to compensate for any loss of muscle movement caused by degenerative changes or injury. With stabilization exercises, deep muscles are activated while excessive activity of superficial muscles is reduced. Thus, correcting muscle abnormalities and ensuring the correct function of the muscles supports the spine. Perturbation training, which is among the neuromuscular exercises, is an intervention that aims to improve the control of rapid balance reactions and involves repetitive postural distortions. In perturbation training, the surface is moved in multiple directions with different forces and moments. The aim of this exercise is to develop the stabilization response that will be created by stresses applied from different directions. It is believed that the number of motor units participating in contraction and proprioceptive input will increase with perturbation exercise. Previous studies have shown that the effects of perturbation training were mostly investigated in geriatric and neurological patient groups. However, current studies show that perturbation training is also applied to some orthopedic problems such as anterior cruciate ligament injury, shoulder pain, ankle instability and makes positive contributions to the healing process.

Although the number of studies on low back pain is quite limited, it has been stated that applications that provide perturbation can reduce the incidence of low back pain and provide improvement in neuromuscular control of spinal stability. In the light of these data, the aim of this study is to investigate the effects of perturbation training given in addition to the exercise program on trunk muscle endurance, pain, disability, functionality, fear avoidance beliefs and quality of life parameters in individuals with nonspecific low back pain.

Eligibility criteria: Inclusion Criteria:

* Nonspecific low back pain persisting for at least 3 months
* Pain intensity at least 3 on VAS
* Ability to perceive verbal and written Turkish instructions
* Having signed the voluntary consent form

Exclusion Criteria:

* History of spinal surgery/trauma
* Low back cpain associated with other pathologies (Rheumatic diseases, malignancy, MS)
* Having herniation at the level of sequestration and extrusion
* Instability conditions such as spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis
* Use of painkillers and antidepressants
* Pregnancy
* Obesity (BMI≥30kg/m²)
* Orthopedic problems and chronic diseases that may prevent exercises
* FTR/steroid injection application within the last 3 months

Primary outcomes:
measure: Trunk extensor endurance test
timeFrame: At baseline and after 8 weeks of intervention
measure: Trunk flexor endurance test
timeFrame: At baseline and after 8 weeks of intervention
measure: Bilater side bridge endurance test
timeFrame: At baseline and after 8 weeks of intervention
Secondary outcomes:
measure: Pain intensity
timeFrame: At baseline and after 8 weeks of intervention
measure: Disability
timeFrame: At baseline and after 8 weeks of intervention
measure: Timed Up and Go Test
timeFrame: At baseline and after 8 weeks of intervention
measure: The Fear-Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire (FABQ)
timeFrame: At baseline and after 8 weeks of intervention
measure: Health-related quality-of-life
timeFrame: At baseline and after 8 weeks of intervention
measure: Patient Satisfaction
timeFrame: After 8 weeks of intervention
Other outcomes:
Locations:
city: Istanbul
country: Turkey
facility: Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa
state: Buyukcekmece
Study officials:
References:
citation: George SZ, Fritz JM, Silfies SP, Schneider MJ, Beneciuk JM, Lentz TA, Gilliam JR, Hendren S, Norman KS. Interventions for the Management of Acute and Chronic Low Back Pain: Revision 2021. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2021 Nov;51(11):CPG1-CPG60. doi: 10.2519/jospt.2021.0304.
citation: Fitzgerald GK, Axe MJ, Snyder-Mackler L. The efficacy of perturbation training in nonoperative anterior cruciate ligament rehabilitation programs for physical active individuals. Phys Ther. 2000 Feb;80(2):128-40.
citation: Schinkel-Ivy A, Huntley AH, Aqui A, Mansfield A. Does Perturbation-Based Balance Training Improve Control of Reactive Stepping in Individuals with Chronic Stroke? J Stroke Cerebrovasc Dis. 2019 Apr;28(4):935-943. doi: 10.1016/j.jstrokecerebrovasdis.2018.12.011. Epub 2019 Jan 7.
citation: Schafer R, Schafer H, Platen P. Perturbation-based trunk stabilization training in elite rowers: A pilot study. PLoS One. 2022 May 19;17(5):e0268699. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0268699. eCollection 2022.
citation: Arampatzis A, Schroll A, Catala MM, Laube G, Schuler S, Dreinhofer K. A random-perturbation therapy in chronic non-specific low-back pain patients: a randomised controlled trial. Eur J Appl Physiol. 2017 Dec;117(12):2547-2560. doi: 10.1007/s00421-017-3742-6. Epub 2017 Oct 19.
citation: Evans K, Refshauge KM, Adams R. Trunk muscle endurance tests: reliability, and gender differences in athletes. J Sci Med Sport. 2007 Dec;10(6):447-55. doi: 10.1016/j.jsams.2006.09.003. Epub 2006 Dec 1.
citation: Shamsi MB, Rezaei M, Zamanlou M, Sadeghi M, Pourahmadi MR. Does core stability exercise improve lumbopelvic stability (through endurance tests) more than general exercise in chronic low back pain? A quasi-randomized controlled trial. Physiother Theory Pract. 2016;32(3):171-8. doi: 10.3109/09593985.2015.1117550. Epub 2016 Feb 11.