Low back pain is a common musculoskeletal disorder associated with substantial disability and reduced quality of life. Although magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is frequently used to identify structural spinal abnormalities, the relationship between MRI findings and treatment outcomes remains unclear. This retrospective study aims to evaluate whether the effectiveness of a standardized physical therapy program differs according to baseline lumbar MRI findings. Medical records of 120 patients with low back pain who underwent lumbar MRI and completed 15 sessions of physical therapy between January 2022 and February 2026 will be reviewed. Patients will be classified into three MRI-based groups: disc herniation, disc degeneration, and non-specific MRI findings. Treatment outcomes will be assessed using changes in Visual Analog Scale (VAS) pain scores and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) scores before and after treatment. The findings may contribute to identifying patient subgroups that respond differently to conservative treatment and support more individualized rehabilitation strategies.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years – 65 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:
* Age between 18 and 65 years.
* Completion of 15 sessions of physical therapy.
* Availability of accessible MRI images in the medical records.
* No history of lumbar spine surgery.
* Absence of conditions that may cause low back pain, including fibromyalgia, neuropathy, spondyloarthropathy, or scoliosis.
Exclusion Criteria:
* Presence of comorbid conditions that may cause low back pain (fibromyalgia, rheumatologic diseases, scoliosis, herpes zoster, polyneuropathy, central pain syndromes).
* Presence of systemic neuromuscular disorders.
* Acute disc herniation or vertebral fracture.
* Receipt of fewer or more than 15 sessions of physical therapy.
* Missing data in follow-up records.
* Use of analgesic medications during the treatment period.
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 uses MRI findings to guide physical therapy for low back pain — does my MRI show the kind of disc changes, like herniation or degenerative disc disease, that would make me a relevant candidate worth discussing with you?
2Since this trial hasn't started recruiting yet, how does that timing affect my situation — should I be pursuing a standard physical therapy plan now, or is it worth waiting to see when enrollment opens?
3The trial measures disability using something called the Oswestry Disability Index — can you explain what that scale measures and whether my current level of disability aligns with what this study seems to be focusing on?
4Because this is listed as Phase NA, meaning it's likely an observational or comparative study rather than a drug trial, what does that mean for my safety and what risks, if any, should I be aware of before considering participation?
5Are there standard physical therapy approaches already proven for my specific MRI findings that I should consider first, and how would joining this trial compare to just starting those treatments now?
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
Change in disability measured by the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI)
Timeframe: Baseline and immediately after completion of the 15-session physical therapy program (approximately 3 weeks).