Skip to main content
OpenTrials
Enrolling by Invitation

NCT Number: NCT07610044

Pelvic Floor Exercises Versus Swiss Ball Exercises in Patients With Non-Specific Chronic Low Back Pain

This randomized controlled trial aims to compare the effectiveness of pelvic floor muscle exercises and swiss ball exercises in females with non-specific chronic low back pain. The study evaluates pain intensity, disability, lumbar range of motion, and core muscle endurance following different rehabilitation protocols.

Enrolling by Invitation

Interested in participating?

Request Info

Key information

Conditions

Non-specific Chronic Low Back Pain Back Pain Low Back Pain Neurologic Manifestations Pain Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Signs and Symptoms

Age range

18 year–35 year

Sex eligibility

Female

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

University of Lahore

Lahore, Punjab Province, Pakistan

About this study

Non-specific chronic low back pain is a common musculoskeletal disorder associated with pain, restricted lumbar mobility, and reduced functional capacity. Weakness of core stabilizing muscles contributes significantly to spinal instability and persistent symptoms.

Exercise-based physiotherapy interventions including pelvic floor muscle exercises and swiss ball exercises are commonly used to improve core stability, lumbar mobility, muscle endurance, and pain management.

This randomized controlled trial will compare the effects of:

Baseline physiotherapy alone Baseline physiotherapy combined with swiss ball exercises Baseline physiotherapy combined with pelvic floor muscle exercises

A total of 69 participants will be randomly allocated into three parallel groups. Outcome measures including pain, disability, lumbar range of motion, and muscle endurance will be assessed before and after intervention.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Females aged 18-35 years
  • Chronic non-specific low back pain for more than 3 months
  • Restricted lumbar range of motion
  • Positive straight leg raise test
  • Positive femoral nerve tension test
  • Positive slump test
  • Willing to participate in the study

Exclusion criteria

  • Previous or planned spinal surgery
  • Pelvic floor surgery or abdominal surgery
  • Pregnancy or postnatal period
  • Urinary incontinence
  • Neurological motor weakness or deformity
  • Spinal stenosis
  • Osteoporosis
  • Disc herniation
  • Degenerative or inflammatory spinal conditions

Treatment and study plan

Baseline Physiotherapy

Other

Baseline physiotherapy includes heating pad application, stretching exercises, and strengthening exercises for lumbar stabilization and pain reduction.

Swiss Ball Exercises

Other

Swiss ball exercises include curl-up, bridging, and front plank exercises performed on a swiss ball to improve core stability, balance, and muscle endurance.

pelvic floor muscle exercises

Other

Pelvic floor muscle exercises involve repeated contraction and relaxation cycles of pelvic floor muscles to improve core muscle activation, spinal support, and lumbar stability.

Primary outcomes

  1. Change in Pain Severity Measured by Revised Short McGill Pain Questionnaire-2 (SF-MPQ-2)

    Time frame: Baseline and 6 weeks after intervention

    Pain severity and pain quality will be assessed using the Revised Short McGill Pain Questionnaire Version-2 (SF-MPQ-2).

Secondary outcomes

  1. Change in Functional Disability Measured by Oswestry Disability Index (ODI)

    Time frame: Baseline and 6 weeks after intervention

    Functional disability associated with chronic low back pain will be measured using the Oswestry Disability Index questionnaire.

  2. Change in Lumbar Range of Motion Measured by Inclinometer

    Time frame: Baseline and 6 weeks after intervention

    Lumbar flexion, extension, lateral flexion, and rotation range of motion will be measured using an inclinometer.

  3. Change in Core Muscle Endurance Measured by Pressure Biofeedback Unit

    Time frame: Baseline and 6 weeks after intervention

    Core muscle endurance including transverse abdominis, quadratus lumborum, and pelvic floor muscles will be measured using a pressure biofeedback unit.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of Lahore

Other

Collaborators

  • University of Lahore Hospital (ULH)

Registry information

Official study title

Comparative Effects of Pelvic Floor Muscle Exercises and Swiss Ball Exercises in Patients With Non-Specific Chronic Low Back Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Important dates

Study start
2025
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2026
First posted
May 27, 2026
Registry last updated
May 27, 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.

Related clinical trials

Published trials that share one or more normalized conditions with this study.