The Effects of Spinal Mobilization Added to an Exercise Program in Recreational Tennis Players Wi… (NCT07573254) | Clinical Trial Compass
CompletedNot Applicable
The Effects of Spinal Mobilization Added to an Exercise Program in Recreational Tennis Players With Mechanical Low Back Pain
Turkey (Türkiye)31 participantsStarted 2025-04-01
Plain-language summary
This prospective, single-blind, randomized controlled trial investigates whether the addition of spinal mobilization to a structured home exercise program improves pain, flexibility, lower-extremity strength, dynamic balance, and jump performance in recreational tennis players (aged 18-45 years; BMI 18-30 kg/m²) with non-radiating mechanical low back pain. Participants were allocated to two parallel groups: a Control Group performing a 21-session home exercise program for 3 weeks, and an Experimental Group performing the same program plus four physiotherapist-administered spinal mobilization sessions (one at baseline and one weekly for 3 weeks). Outcomes were the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for pain during physical activity, at rest, and at night; the Y-Balance Test; the Vertical Jump Test; the Sit-and-Reach Test; and isometric strength measured with a back-chest-leg dynamometer.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years – 45 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:
* Adults aged 18-45 years.
* Body mass index (BMI) between 18 and 30 kg/m².
* Mechanical low back pain that decreases in the supine position and increases with activity or in various postures.
* Low back pain of more than one week duration with a baseline intensity greater than 4 on the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and unrelated to any defined medical condition.
* Playing tennis on a recreational basis at least 2 days per week, totalling at least 2 hours per week.
* Able to communicate in Turkish or English in both written and spoken form.
Exclusion Criteria:
* Pain in the lower back, hip, or groin lasting longer than 6 months.
* Pain accompanied by a sensory deficit.
* Pain radiating to the hip or lower extremity.
* History of long-term steroid use.
* Regular medication use.
* History of injury or surgery resulting in residual deficits.
* Previous interventional treatment to the lumbar region.
* Pregnancy or suspected pregnancy.
Termination Criteria During Study:
* Onset of an acute illness requiring treatment (e.g., influenza, pneumonia).
* Use of analgesic or sedative medication.
* An increase in VAS pain score greater than 3 points during exercise or treatment.
* Failure to perform the home exercise programme on three consecutive days.
* Missed manual therapy session.
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
Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for pain during physical activity (cm