Exercise Interventions for Overweight Men With Chronic Low Back Pain (NCT07688564) | Clinical Trial Compass
Not Yet RecruitingNot Applicable
Exercise Interventions for Overweight Men With Chronic Low Back Pain
Saudi Arabia156 participantsStarted 2026-07-05
Plain-language summary
This randomized controlled trial aims to compare the effectiveness of motor control exercise, aerobic walking exercise, and muscle strengthening exercise in overweight male adults with non-specific chronic low back pain and central sensitization. A total of 156 participants will be randomly assigned to one of four groups: motor control exercise plus patient education, aerobic walking exercise plus patient education, muscle strengthening exercise plus patient education, or patient education only. The interventions will be delivered over 12 weeks.
The primary outcome is conditioned pain modulation (CPM), which reflects endogenous pain inhibitory function. Secondary outcomes include pain intensity, disability, health-related quality of life, executive function, and isometric trunk muscle strength. Body weight and body mass index will also be assessed as exploratory variables. Outcomes will be evaluated at baseline, immediately after the 12-week intervention, and at 6-month follow-up.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years – 59 Years
Sex
MALE
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 to \< 60 years.
* Diagnosed with nonspecific CLBP that has persisted for over three months.
* Overweight males (not obese), with a BMI between 25.0 and 29.9 kg/m² (the standard WHO/CDC classification). Excludes normal weight (\<25 kg/m²) and obesity (≥30 kg/m²) to focus on the mechanical and metabolic consequences of excess weight and to avoid confounding by significant comorbidities, mobility restrictions, or modified exercise tolerance that may skew CPM results.
* Pain level greater than 4 on the Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS).
* Signs and symptoms indicating that a CS measurement is required must be present, with a CSI score of 40 or higher.
* Psychological status will be screened with the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales-21 (DASS-21) to confirm the absence of clinically significant symptoms of depression, anxiety, or stress. Eligible participants will be overweight males aged 18 to 60 years with nonspecific CLBP who score within the normal range on all DASS-21 subscales. Participants with severe psychological distress will be excluded, while mild to moderate symptoms will be statistically controlled.
Exclusion Criteria:
* CLBP due to a recognized specific pathology (e.g., infection, tumor, osteoporosis, fracture, structural deformity, or inflammatory disorders such as ankylosing spondylitis, radiculopathy, or cauda equina syndrome).
* Contraindications for physical activity participation.
* A history of spine surgery or spine …
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
Conditioned Pain Modulation (CPM)
Timeframe: Baseline, 12 weeks, and 6 months after intervention