The effect of regular exercise on the clinical status and paraspinal muscles of patients with chronic non-specific low back pain

Functional and quantitative magnetic resonance imaging parameters of the lumbar paraspinal muscles in patients with chronic non-specific low back pain and the effect of exercise

Status

Active, not recruiting

Phases

Unknown

Study type

Interventional

Source

ISRCTN

Registry ID

ISRCTN11556477

Enrollment

Registered

2025-07-23

Start date

2020-03-12

Completion date

Unknown

Last updated

2026-01-12

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

Conditions

Chronic non-specific low back pain Musculoskeletal Diseases

Interventions

This study had only one arm, namely for patients with chronic non-specific low back pain. At the beginning of the trial, each patient underwent a detailed neurological clinical evaluation, including

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

All

Age

18 Years to 70 Years

Inclusion criteria

Inclusion criteria: 1. Age between 18 and 70 years 2. Chronic non-specific low back pain (pain localised in the lumbar spine area and without radiation below the knee; pain duration over 12 weeks). Discontinuation of analgesics was not be required at study entry.

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion criteria: 1. General MRI contraindications 2. Presence of any metal material in the lumbar spine 3. Previous lumbar spine involvement: - Vertebral fracture - Tumour - Spine infection - Surgery 4. Scoliosis 5. Presence of lumbar spinal stenosis (Schizas classification above A4) 6. Lumbar disc herniation 7. Comorbid conditions affecting overall mobility 8. Pregnancy 9. Presence of lumbosacral radicular pain in the medical history with residual clinical signs of nerve root dysfunction 10. Presence of myopathy

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame
Before and after the exercise programme: 1. Morphological parameters of the lumbar paraspinal muscles using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with a 6-point Dixon gradient-echo sequence. We evaluated the quantitative MRI parameters, including fat fraction and total and functional muscle volume (FMV). 2. Functional parameters of lumbar paraspinal muscles - maximal isometric lumbar extensor strength (MILEMS) and the lumbar extensor endurance (LEME). MILEMS (in kilograms) was examined with the subject seated in a purpose-designed chair using a handheld dynamometer MicroFET 2. LEME was assessed using the Biering-Sørensen test (in seconds). 3. Pain assessed using an 11-point Pain Numerical Rating Scale (NRS: 0-10) 4. Disability assessed using the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMQ).	—

Measure

Time frame

Before and after the exercise programme: 1. Morphological parameters of the lumbar paraspinal muscles using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with a 6-point Dixon gradient-echo sequence. We evaluated the quantitative MRI parameters, including fat fraction and total and functional muscle volume (FMV). 2. Functional parameters of lumbar paraspinal muscles - maximal isometric lumbar extensor strength (MILEMS) and the lumbar extensor endurance (LEME). MILEMS (in kilograms) was examined with the subject seated in a purpose-designed chair using a handheld dynamometer MicroFET 2. LEME was assessed using the Biering-Sørensen test (in seconds). 3. Pain assessed using an 11-point Pain Numerical Rating Scale (NRS: 0-10) 4. Disability assessed using the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMQ).

—

Secondary

Measure	Time frame
At the end of the exercise programme: 1. Satisfaction with the exercise programme was assessed using a semiquantitative scale with five levels (fully satisfied/rather satisfied/neither satisfied nor dissatisfied/rather dissatisfied/fully dissatisfied). 2. Adherence to exercise was analysed based on how much of the mobile application was completed, as this was designed to monitor compliance.	—

Countries

Czech Republic

Contacts

Public ContactDaniela Vlažna

vlazna.daniela@fnbrno.cz+420532232501

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ISRCTN (via WHO ICTRP) · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026