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Effects of a multimodal spine prevention program in healthy subjects

Effectiveness of Spine-Specific Preventive Training in Healthy Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Status
Active, not recruiting
Phases
Unknown
Study type
Interventional
Source
ANZCTR
Registry ID
ACTRN12625001443482
Enrollment
55
Registered
2025-12-19
Start date
2025-09-01
Completion date
2025-11-28
Last updated
2026-01-05

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

None listed

Brief summary

Primary Purpose of the Study The study aims to find out whether a structured exercise program can help prevent neck and back problems in healthy individuals. Participants will train three times per week for three months: one supervised group session and two short individual sessions at home. Study Hypothesis We expect that participants’ nihil neck and back pain levels will stay the same (not worsen) and that their strength, flexibility, and movement control will improve compared to those who do not follow the program. This research will help us understand the benefits of a preventive exercise program used within the Belgian Defence and may lead to better training protocols in the future.

Interventions

A 12 week physical supervised exercises program will applied 3x/ week to healthy subjects. -Last-year physiotherapy students supervise the training sessions. -Group training sessions: Provided once per week in groups of up to 5 participants per supervisor. -Home training sessions: Participants train independently twice per week without supervision. -Exercise intensity: Target intensity is 4–6 on the RPE (Rate of Perceived Exertion) scale. This is recorded in ----PhysiApp (exercise and tracking

A 12 week physical supervised exercises program will applied 3x/ week to healthy subjects. -Last-year physiotherapy students supervise the training sessions. -Group training sessions: Provided once per week in groups of up to 5 participants per supervisor. -Home training sessions: Participants train independently twice per week without supervision. -Exercise intensity: Target intensity is 4–6 on the RPE (Rate of Perceived Exertion) scale. This is recorded in ----PhysiApp (exercise and tracking application). If RPE exceeds this range, exercise level and resistance are adjusted. -Session duration: Group sessions: maximum 45 minutes Individual sessions: maximum 20 minutes -Tracking: Participants log each session (group or individual) in PhysiApp and report a Session RPE score (0–10). - Exercise Allocation: Each participant receives a maximum of 15 exercises, selected based on 74 baseline tests. -Selection Criteria: The 15 tests with the lowest scores determine the exercises included in the individualized program. Only 5 exercises of choice are needed to perform at home without supervision. The participant needs to indicate these 5 exercises in the PhysiApp. -Exercise Types: Exercises may target mobility, flexibility, motor control, or strength. -Example for one participant: • 1 exercise for deep squat (FMS) • 1 exercise for cervical neck flexor endurance • 1 exercise for double straight leg lowering • 1 exercise for single-leg small knee bend with lunge lean • 1 exercise for hip extension • 1 exercise for small knee bend with rotation • 1 exercise for scapular dysfunction • 1 exercise for lumbar extensor endurance • 1 exercise for lumbar flexor strength • 1 exercise for cervical flexion strength • 1 exercise for levator scapula stretch (left) • 1 exercise for lumbar extension mobility • 1 exercise for lumbar lateral flexion mobility

Sponsors

Military Hospital Queen Astrid
Lead SponsorHospital

Study design

Allocation
Randomised controlled trial
Intervention model
Parallel
Primary purpose
Prevention
Masking
Open (masking not used)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
Male
Age
21 Years to 35 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes

Inclusion criteria

No history of neck or back injuries, or orthopedic treatments within the past year Neck Disability Index: 0–8/100 Quebec Back Pain Disability Scale: 0–18/100 Baecke score: 7–12/15 Males

Exclusion criteria

A history of neck or back injuries, or orthopedic treatments within the past year Neck Disability Index: 9-100/100 Quebec Back Pain Disability Scale: 19-100/100 Baecke score: 1-6 and 13-15/15 Females

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ANZCTR · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026