Low Back Pain
Conditions
Keywords
Chronic Nonspecific Low Back Pain, Dual-Task Training, Neuromuscular Warm-Up, Balance, Proprioception, Postural Control
Brief summary
This study aims to investigate the immediate effects of dual-task neuromuscular warm-up exercises on balance and proprioception in individuals with chronic nonspecific low back pain. Participants will be randomly assigned to either a dual-task neuromuscular warm-up exercise group or a neuromuscular warm-up exercise group. Both groups will also receive the same conventional physiotherapy program. Balance, proprioception, lumbar muscle properties, pressure pain threshold, and flexibility will be assessed before and after the intervention to determine whether adding cognitive tasks to neuromuscular warm-up exercises provides additional immediate benefits.
Interventions
OTHERDual-Task Neuromuscular Warm-Up Exercise Group
Participants will perform neuromuscular warm-up exercises combined with cognitive tasks, including single-leg balance with backward counting, squats with word generation, tandem walking with counting, balance pad standing with a memory task, and step-up exercises with a reaction task. Participants will also receive the same conventional physiotherapy program, including hot pack, TENS, therapeutic exercises, and breathing exercises.
OTHERNeuromuscular Warm-Up Exercise
Participants will perform the same neuromuscular warm-up exercises without cognitive tasks, including single-leg balance, squats, tandem walking, balance pad standing, and step-up exercises. Participants will also receive the same conventional physiotherapy program, including hot pack, TENS, therapeutic exercises, and breathing exercises.
Sponsors
Istinye University
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE (Subject)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 50 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* Diagnosed with nonspecific low back pain persisting for at least 3 months. * Pain intensity of ≥3 on the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). * Sufficient cognitive ability to understand and follow verbal and written instructions in Turkish. * Independent mobility sufficient to perform the tests and exercises. * Willingness to participate and provision of written informed consent.
Exclusion criteria
* Acute disc herniation, spinal stenosis, spondylolysis, or spondylolisthesis. * Previous spinal surgery or a history of severe trauma affecting the spine. * Rheumatic diseases, malignancy, infection, or neurological diseases that may cause low back pain. * Sensory or motor loss in the lower extremities or deep tendon reflex loss indicating radiculopathy. * Known vestibular or visual system disorders. * Body mass index (BMI) ≥30 kg/m². * Pregnancy. * Physiotherapy/rehabilitation treatment or steroid injection targeting the lumbar region within the previous 3 months. * Use of analgesics, muscle relaxants, or sedatives within the previous 24 hours that may affect balance or pain threshold. * Other orthopedic or systemic health conditions that may interfere with exercise or balance testing.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Proprioception | Immediately before and after the intervention (same day) | Lower-extremity joint position sense assessed using the ProKin Balance Measurement System. |
| Balance | Immediately before and after the intervention (same day) | Balance assessed using the ProKin Balance Measurement System. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Pressure Pain Threshold | Immediately before and after the intervention (same day) | Pressure pain threshold assessed using an algometer. |
| Lumbar Erector Spinae Muscle Tone | Immediately before and after the intervention (same day) | Muscle tone assessed using MyotonPRO. |
| Lumbar Erector Spinae Muscle Stiffness | Immediately before and after the intervention (same day) | Muscle stiffness assessed using MyotonPRO. |
| Hamstring and Lumbar Muscle Flexibility | Immediately before and after the intervention (same day) | Flexibility assessed using the Sit and Reach Test. |
| Lumbar Erector Spinae Muscle Elasticity | Immediately before and after the intervention (same day) | Muscle elasticity assessed using MyotonPRO. |
| Global Perceived Change | Immediately after the intervention. | Perceived change following the intervention assessed using the Global Rating of Change Scale. |
Outcome results
None listed