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NCT Number: NCT07474610

The Relationship Between Transversus Abdominis Muscle Architecture and Upper Extremity Function in Patients With Chronic Low Back Pain

Core stability is the ability to control the position and movement of the trunk for optimal production, transfer, and control of forces in the upper and lower extremities during functional activities.

Studies have shown that TrA activation is delayed in individuals with low back pain. The relationship between core stability and the lower extremity has been frequently studied in the literature, and according to Kibler's 'Kinetic Chain' theory, loss of proximal stability is known to lead to dysfunction in distal segments; however, the relationship between the upper extremity and core stability is still unclear. The aim of our study is to investigate the upper extremity reach capacity and scapular stability of individuals with low back pain in relation to TrA involvement and to compare them with healthy individuals without low back pain.

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Key information

Conditions

Low Back Pain Back Pain Core Muscles Functional Reach Neurologic Manifestations Pain Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Scapular Dyskinesis Signs and Symptoms Ultrasound

Age range

18 year–45 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Observational

Primary location

About this study

Core stability is the ability to control the position and movement of the trunk for optimal production, transfer, and control of forces in the upper and lower extremities during functional activities. The most important components of core stability are muscle capacity and neuromuscular control. A stable core region is effective in facilitating extremity function.

Studies have shown that TrA activation is delayed in individuals with low back pain. The relationship between core stability and the lower extremity has been frequently studied in the literature, and according to Kibler's 'Kinetic Chain' theory, loss of proximal stability is known to lead to dysfunction in distal segments; however, the relationship between the upper extremity and core stability is still unclear. In light of all this data, the aim of our study is to investigate the upper extremity reach capacity and scapular stability of individuals with low back pain in relation to TrA involvement and to compare them with healthy individuals without low back pain.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Being between 18-45 years of age.
  • Having a normal Body Mass Index (BMI) (18.5 - 29.9 kg/m²).
  • For the painful group, having pain for a minimum of 3 months and a minimum of 3/10 pain at rest or during activity. • Not having received medical treatment for back or shoulder pain in the last 12 months for healthy control examinations.

Exclusion criteria

  • Having neurological diseases.
  • Having a diagnosed pathology and/or severe pain in the upper extremity.
  • Being a professional athlete.
  • Being pregnant.
  • Having advanced structural spinal deformities (scoliosis, kyphosis, etc.).
  • Having undergone abdominal surgery (Cesarean section is not included).
  • Having undergone spinal and/or lumbar surgery.

Treatment and study plan

Primary outcomes

  1. Severity of back pain

    Time frame: It will only be evaluated once.

    Resting, activity, and nocturnal pains will be marked on a visual analog scale.

  2. Ultrasound

    Time frame: It will only be evaluated once.

    Measurements taken from the TrA muscle will first involve measuring the length of the cross-section in the resting position, then taking another measurement during the maneuver, and recording the differences between these measurements.

  3. Funcitonal Reach Test

    Time frame: It will only be evaluated once.

    During the measurement, the patient lies on their side against the wall (leaving a small enough distance between themselves and the wall to avoid contact). Their feet are shoulder-width apart and fixed. The patient raises the arm closest to the wall to 90 degrees of shoulder flexion (straight forward). Make a fist. While the patient's arm is at 90 degrees, the point where the head of the 3rd metacarpal (middle finger joint) aligns with the measuring tape on the wall is recorded. The patient is then asked to reach forward as far as they can without lifting their feet off the ground or taking a step. At the furthest point the patient can reach without losing their balance, the alignment of the 3rd metacarpal head is again recorded. The distance between these points is taken as the final measurement. During the measurement, it is crucial that the heels do not lift off the ground, that no steps are taken, that no support is placed against the wall, and that the arm does not drop.

  4. Kibler's Lateral Scapular Slide Test

    Time frame: It will only be evaluated once.

    Measurements were taken using a measuring tape to gauge the distance between the spinous processes of the spine and the inferior angulus of the scapula, and repeated in three different positions: arms free at the sides, hands on the hips (approximately 45 degrees abduction), and arms outstretched to the sides (90 degrees abduction and maximum internal rotation). Under normal conditions, the distance between these positions does not vary significantly or changes symmetrically. If the difference between the two sides is more than 1.5 cm or if there is excessive variation between positions, the diagnosis will be considered "Scapular Dyskinesia Present (+)".

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

İlayda Dilan Işık, MsC

CONTACT

[email protected]

+905305239711

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Ilayda Dilan Isik

Other

Registry information

Official study title

The Relationship Between Transversus Abdominis Muscle Architecture and Upper Extremity Function in Patients With Chronic Low Back Pain: A Comparative Ultrasonographic Study

Important dates

Study start
2026
Primary completion
2027
Study completion
2027
First posted
Mar 16, 2026
Registry last updated
Jul 20, 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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