Active — Not RecruitingNot Applicable

Effects of Vertebral Axial Loading Walking Combined With Core Stabilization Exercises in Individuals With Chronic Low Back Pain

Turkey (Türkiye)20 participantsStarted 2026-01-19

Plain-language summary

Chronic low back pain is a common musculoskeletal condition persisting for more than three months and is associated with pain, functional limitations, impaired balance, altered proprioception, reduced trunk muscle performance, and decreased quality of life. Previous studies have demonstrated that individuals with chronic low back pain exhibit altered sensory input from spinal structures and impaired neuromuscular control, which may contribute to persistent pain and movement dysfunction. Although exercise-based physiotherapy approaches, particularly core stabilization exercises, are widely recommended and effective in the management of chronic low back pain, sensory deficits related to balance, proprioception, and body awareness are often insufficiently addressed in conventional rehabilitation programs. Vertebral axial loading walking training is a functional rehabilitation approach involving slow, controlled walking under gentle vertical loading applied along the spinal axis. This intervention is thought to enhance afferent sensory input from spinal mechanoreceptors, potentially improving balance control, proprioception, and motor coordination. This randomized controlled study aims to investigate the effects of adding vertebral axial loading walking training to a standard core stabilization exercise program on pain intensity, balance, proprioception, trunk muscle strength and endurance, and body awareness in individuals with chronic low back pain.

Who can participate

Age range

30 Years – 55 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: * Aged 30 to 55 years * Able to read and write * Not using regular medication during the study period * Voluntary participation and willingness to comply with study procedures Exclusion Criteria: * Presence of lumbar radiculopathy or neurological deficits * Presence of specific spinal pathologies, including scoliosis, kyphosis, malignancy, fracture, infection, or inflammatory joint or bone diseases * Presence of major or chronic systemic diseases, including diabetes mellitus, rheumatoid arthritis, or systemic lupus erythematosus * Presence of any neurological disease, such as stroke, Parkinson's disease, or multiple sclerosis * Presence of any condition affecting balance, including cerebellar ataxia, vertigo, Ménière's disease, inner ear labyrinthitis, or vestibular neuritis * History of spinal surgery * History of minimally invasive spinal procedures or injections, including platelet-rich plasma (PRP), growth factor-rich plasma (GFRP), corticosteroids, or other pharmacological injections * History of major lower extremity surgery, including knee arthroplasty, hip arthroplasty, high tibial osteotomy, or meniscal surgery * Presence of lower extremity musculoskeletal injuries, including meniscal or ligament injuries or chronic ankle instability * Presence of lower extremity deformities, including talipes equinovarus, genu varum, genu valgum, or coxa vara/valga * Presence of cognitive impairment or diagnosed psychiatric disorders * Pregnancy or being less …

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1This trial combines vertebral axial loading walking with core stabilization exercises over 6 weeks — is that kind of physical program something my current back condition could safely handle, or could it put me at risk for more pain or injury?
2The trial is actively measuring lumbar proprioception and pressure pain thresholds, which aren't terms I hear every day — can you help me understand what those measurements mean for my day-to-day functioning, and whether improving them would actually make a meaningful difference for me?
3Since this trial is no longer recruiting, does that mean there might be early results or interim data available that could help us understand whether this type of exercise combination has shown any real benefit for people with chronic low back pain like mine?
4This study runs for 6 weeks and focuses on both rest pain and pain during activity — how does that timeline compare to what I might expect from standard physical therapy or other treatments I haven't tried yet, and should I consider those first?
5Given that this is listed as Phase NA, which I understand often applies to non-drug behavioral or exercise studies, what does that mean for how confident we can be about the safety and effectiveness of this specific combination of walking and core exercises?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Change from Baseline in Lumbar Proprioception (Active Joint Position Sense) After 6 Weeks of Intervention

Timeframe: Baseline and 6 weeks

Change from Baseline in Pain Intensity at Rest and During Activity After 6 Weeks

Timeframe: Baseline and 6 weeks

Change from Baseline in Lumbar Pressure Pain Threshold After 6 Weeks

Timeframe: Baseline and 6 weeks

Change from Baseline in Trunk and Hip Muscle Strength After 6 Weeks

Timeframe: Baseline and 6 weeks

Trial details

NCT IDNCT07334782

SponsorHacettepe University

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2026-04-25

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Chronic Low-back Pain (cLBP) trials

Plain-language summary

Who can participate

Age range

30 Years – 55 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

What they're measuring

Change from Baseline in Lumbar Proprioception (Active Joint Position Sense) After 6 Weeks of Intervention

Timeframe: Baseline and 6 weeks

Change from Baseline in Pain Intensity at Rest and During Activity After 6 Weeks

Timeframe: Baseline and 6 weeks

Change from Baseline in Lumbar Pressure Pain Threshold After 6 Weeks

Timeframe: Baseline and 6 weeks

Change from Baseline in Trunk and Hip Muscle Strength After 6 Weeks

Timeframe: Baseline and 6 weeks