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OpenTrials
Completed

NCT Number: NCT07570641

Effects of Combined Ciaphragmatic Breathing and Trunk Stabilization in Chronic Low Back Pain

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of combined diaphragmatic breathing and trunk stabilization exercises on pain, function, and muscle activity in patients with chronic low back pain, and to compare its clinical effectiveness with trunk stabilization exercise alone.

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Key information

Conditions

Core Stability Back Pain Breathing Exercise Low Back Pain Neurologic Manifestations Pain Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Signs and Symptoms

Age range

20 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Private exercise facility

Seoul, South Korea

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Individuals with low back pain lasting at least 3 months (12 weeks)
  • Individuals with a pain intensity of 3 or higher on the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS)
  • Individuals who are physically capable of performing trunk stabilization and diaphragmatic breathing exercises

Exclusion criteria

  • Individuals with neurological or musculoskeletal disorders
  • Pregnant individuals
  • Individuals with fractures or deformities of the spine or related areas
  • Individuals with sensory deficits
  • Individuals who engaged in activities that could affect the study results (e.g., medication use, alcohol consumption, or excessive exercise) within 24 hours prior to participation

Treatment and study plan

trunk stabilization exercise

Behavioral

Trunk stabilization exercises consisting of dead bug, bridge, side plank, and bird dog were performed for 10 repetitions in 3 sets, while the side plank was performed for 5 repetitions with a 10-second hold for 3 sets. Rest intervals between sets were set at 1 minute.

Diaphragmatic Breathing Exercise

Behavioral

diaphragmatic breathing exercise was performed in a crook-lying position with one hand placed on the sternum and the other on the abdomen. Participants were instructed to inhale through the nose for 5 seconds, allowing lateral expansion of the rib cage, and exhale through pursed lips for 10 seconds while minimizing chest movement. The breathing exercise was performed for 10 repetitions in 3 sets with 1-minute rest between sets.

Primary outcomes

  1. pain intensity

    Time frame: Baseline and Week 4

    Pain intensity was measured using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), a 0-10 cm scale where 0 indicates no pain and 10 indicates the worst imaginable pain.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Functional disability

    Time frame: Baseline and Week 4

    Functional disability was assessed using the Korean version of the Oswestry Disability Index (KODI). The total score ranges from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating greater disability. Disability levels are interpreted as follows: 0-20 (minimal disability), 21-40 (moderate disability), 41-60 (severe disability), 61-80 (crippled), and 81-100 (bed-bound or exaggerating symptoms).

Other outcomes

  1. Muscle activity

    Time frame: Baseline and Week 4

    Muscle activity was measured using surface electromyography (sEMG) of the rectus abdominis, external oblique, internal oblique, and erector spinae, expressed as %MVIC.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

lee kyoungju

Other

Registry information

Official study title

The Effects of Combined Diaphragmatic Breathing and Trunk Stabilization Exercises on Pain, Function and Muscle Activity in Patients With Chronic Low Back Pain

Important dates

Study start
2025
Primary completion
2025
Study completion
2025
First posted
May 6, 2026
Registry last updated
May 11, 2026

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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