Lumbar Extension Strengthening in Addition to Manual Therapy and Exercise for Chronic Low Back Pain (NCT07719452) | Clinical Trial Compass
By InvitationNot Applicable
Lumbar Extension Strengthening in Addition to Manual Therapy and Exercise for Chronic Low Back Pain
United States60 participantsStarted 2026-08-03
Plain-language summary
The goal of this clinical trial is to determine the effect of adding lumbar strengthening exercises to a program of manual therapy and motor control exercises (standard therapy) in adults with chronic low back pain (cLBP). Researchers will compare individuals with cLBP that receive lumbar extensor strengthening in addition to standard therapy compared to standard therapy alone to determine if there are differences in patient reported outcomes, lumbar multifidus thickness, low back endurance, and healthcare utilization between the groups.
All participants will engage in 8-weeks of physical therapy, receiving manual therapy and motor control exercises. Those in the intervention group will have additional low back strengthening exercises.
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:
* Tricare Beneficiary
* 18-65 years old
* LBP ≥ 3 months without symptoms below the knee
* mODI ≥ 24%
* English speaking
* Available to actively take part in the study for 12 weeks
Exclusion Criteria:
* History of spine surgery or expecting spinal surgery
* Suspected or confirmed serious pathology (infection, cancer, fracture, cauda equina)
* Diagnosis of any vertebral fracture in the last 6 months
* Osteoporosis requiring pharmacologic treatment other than vitamin D, calcium supplements, or bisphosphonates
* History of any bone-related cancer or cancer that metastasized to the bone
* Diagnosed rheumatological or inflammatory disease
* Progressive neurological disease
* Leg pain as the primary complaint (radiculopathy, peripheral vascular disease, stenosis)
* Contraindications to exercise and manual therapy
* Currently pregnant, self-reported or post-partum within the past 6 months
* Received physical therapy treatment for LBP in the past 6 months
* In the last 3 months, received injections, nerve ablation or blocks or is seeking such services
* Uncontrolled drug/alcohol addiction
* Currently under litigation related to cLBP
* Pending or expecting a Medical Evaluation Board (MEB)
* Retiring from the military within 18 months
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.