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Completed

NCT Number: NCT06852677

Deep Squat, Cross-Legged Sitting and Low Back Pain

The goal of this randomized experimental study is to learn if regular deep squat or cross-legged sitting practice can improve mobility, reduce pain, and enhance visceral functions in adults with chronic low back pain (LBP). The main questions it aims to answer are:

Does practicing deep squat or cross-legged sitting increase joint mobility (hip, spine, ankle) and flexibility? Does it reduce pain levels in the lumbar spine and hip region? Does it improve visceral functions related to digestion and bowel movements? Researchers will compare a deep squat group, a cross-legged sitting group, and a control group to see if these interventions lead to significant improvements in mobility, pain reduction, and visceral function compared to no intervention.

Participants will:

Be randomly assigned to one of three groups (deep squat, cross-legged sitting, or control).

Practice their assigned position for 20 minutes per day, 6 days a week, for 6 weeks.

Undergo baseline and post-intervention assessments, including mobility tests, pain evaluation, and quality-of-life questionnaires.

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Key information

Conditions

Low Back Pain Back Pain Hip Pain Chronic Neurologic Manifestations Pain Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Signs and Symptoms

Age range

20 year–60 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

University hospital Brno

Brno, Czechia

About this study

This randomized experimental study explores the effects of deep squat and cross-legged sitting practice on musculoskeletal mobility, pain perception, and visceral functions in adults with chronic low back pain (LBP). By examining these interventions over a six-week period, the study seeks to determine their potential role as non-pharmacological strategies for managing chronic pain and mobility limitations.

Participants will receive structured guidance to ensure proper execution of the assigned positions and adherence to the intervention protocol. Standardized assessments will be conducted before and after the intervention to evaluate changes in joint mobility, flexibility, pain levels, and quality of life.

The study is designed to contribute to evidence-based rehabilitation practices, offering insights into how simple, posture-based exercises might improve physical function and well-being. Findings may have implications for physiotherapy, rehabilitation, and self-management strategies in individuals with chronic LBP.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • age 20-60 years, chronic lower back or hip pain lasting at least 3 months, presence of bowel problems at least twice a month for at least 3 months)

Exclusion criteria

  • acute health problem, pregnancy, hip or knee TEP, patellofemoral syndrome or recent lower limb surgery

Treatment and study plan

Deep Squat position

Other

Participants assigned to the deep squat group will perform a cumulative total of 20 minutes of deep squatting per day, six days a week, for six weeks. The squatting time can be divided into multiple shorter sessions throughout the day, with a maximum interval of 48 hours between sessions. Participants will be instructed to maintain an upright posture with heels on the ground, feet shoulder-width apart, and knees aligned with toes. They will be encouraged to gradually increase their squat duration and comfort over time.

Before starting the intervention, participants will receive standardized instructions on proper squat form to ensure safety and maximize benefits. Their compliance will be monitored through a training diary in the experimental (Tulkit) app.

Cross-legged Sitting

Other

Participants assigned to the cross-legged sitting group will perform a cumulative total of 20 minutes of cross-legged sitting per day, six days a week, for six weeks. The squatting time can be divided into multiple shorter sessions throughout the day, with a maximum interval of 48 hours between sessions. Participants will be instructed to maintain an upright posture while sitting. They will be encouraged to gradually increase their cross-legged sitting duration and comfort over time.

Before starting the intervention, participants will receive standardized instructions on proper sitting form to ensure safety and maximize benefits. Their compliance will be monitored through a training diary in the experimental (Tulkit) app.

Primary outcomes

  1. Visual Analogue Scale for Pain (VAS)

    Time frame: Change from baseline to 6 weeks

    A scale for measuring the intensity or frequency of pain.

  2. WBLT (The Weight-bearing lunge test)

    Time frame: Change from baseline to 6 weeks

    The Weight-bearing lunge test (WBLT) is used to assess the dorsiflexion range of movement at the ankle joint.

  3. 36-Item Short Form Survey (SF-36)

    Time frame: Change from baseline to 6 weeks

    SF-36 is a set of generic, coherent, and easily administered quality-of-life measures.

  4. The Patient Assessment of Constipation Quality of Life (PAC-QOL) questionnaire

    Time frame: Change from baseline to 6 weeks

    PAC-QOL is the most validated and the most specific tool for measuring the quality of life of patients with constipation.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Goniometry

    Time frame: Change from baseline to 6 weeks

    Measuring the range of movement (ROM) in hip joints.

  2. Sitting-rising test

    Time frame: Change from baseline to 6 weeks

    Clinical test which provides a significant and efficient prediction of mortality risk in the elderly. It measure the ability to sit and rise up with minimum support.

  3. Sit and reach test

    Time frame: Change from baseline to 6 weeks

    The sit and reach test measures flexibility by having a person sit with their legs straight and reaching forward as far as possible. The distance reached is recorded to assess flexibility, with longer reaches indicating greater flexibility.

  4. Patrick (FABER) test

    Time frame: Change from baseline to 6 weeks

    Clinical pain provocation test designed to assist in diagnosing of pathologies in the hip, lumbar spine, and sacroiliac joint.

  5. Schober test

    Time frame: Change from baseline to 6 weeks

    The Schober test is classically used to determine if there is a decrease in lumbar spine range of motion (flexion).

  6. Stibor test

    Time frame: Change from baseline to 6 weeks

    The Stibor test is classically used to determine if there is a decrease in lumbar and thoracic spine range of motion (flexion).

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Ladislav Batalik

Other

Registry information

Official study title

The Effect of Deep Squat and Cross-Legged Sitting on Range of Motion, Pain, and Visceral Functions in Participants With Low Back Pain: A Randomized Experimental Study

Important dates

Study start
2025
Primary completion
2025
Study completion
2025
First posted
Feb 28, 2025
Registry last updated
Sep 19, 2025

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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