Effects of Muscle Energy Technique and Pilates Exercises on Pain and Physical Function in Patient… (NCT07458776) | Clinical Trial Compass
CompletedNot Applicable
Effects of Muscle Energy Technique and Pilates Exercises on Pain and Physical Function in Patients With Nonspecific Low Back Pain
Pakistan72 participantsStarted 2025-06-30
Plain-language summary
This randomized clinical trial aimed to compare the effects of Muscle Energy Techniques (METs) and Pilates exercises on pain and physical function in individuals with nonspecific low back pain. A total of 72 participants aged between 20 and 50 years were recruited from the University of Lahore Teaching Hospital, Lahore. Participants were randomly allocated into two groups: one group received Muscle Energy Techniques and the other group performed Pilates exercises. Each intervention session lasted 60 minutes, conducted four days per week for six weeks. Pain intensity was assessed using the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), while physical function was evaluated using the Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ). The results were analyzed to determine the comparative effectiveness of the two interventions in reducing pain and improving functional ability among patients with nonspecific low back pain.
Who can participate
Age range
20 Years – 50 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:
* Individuals aged 20-50 years
* Both males and females
* Pain lasting for at least 2-3 months
* Pain score greater than 3 on Numeric Pain Rating Scale
* Participants who had not received physiotherapy treatment for low back pain
Exclusion Criteria:
* History of lumbar radiculopathy
* Use of painkiller medications
* Spinal pathologies such as prolapsed disc, spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis, vertebral fractures, or spinal infections
* Systemic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, fibromyalgia, or malignancy
* Pregnant women
* Neurological conditions such as stroke or multiple sclerosis
Heart conditions or psychological disorders
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.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
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
1
Pain Intensity
Timeframe: Baseline and after 6 weeks of intervention