Effectiveness of ELDOA Stretching Combined With Standard Physiotherapy in Adults With Chronic Low… (NCT07730463) | Clinical Trial Compass
CompletedNot Applicable
Effectiveness of ELDOA Stretching Combined With Standard Physiotherapy in Adults With Chronic Low Back Pain and Dural Hypomobility; A Randomized Controlled Trial.
Pakistan48 participantsStarted 2026-01-10
Plain-language summary
Adults with chronic low back pain (CLBP) frequently experience persistent pain, functional disability, and reduced quality of life despite receiving conventional physiotherapy. Dural hypomobility has been proposed as a contributing factor in some individuals with CLBP by limiting normal neural tissue mobility and increasing mechanosensitivity. ELDOA (Étirements Longitudinaux avec Décoaptation Ostéo-Articulaire) is a targeted stretching technique designed to improve spinal decompression, fascial mobility, and neural tissue mobility. However, evidence regarding its effectiveness in patients with CLBP and dural hypomobility remains limited.
This randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the effectiveness of ELDOA stretching combined with standard physiotherapy compared with standard physiotherapy alone in adults with chronic low back pain and dural hypomobility. Participants will receive treatment three times per week for six weeks. Pain intensity, disability, and dural mobility will be assessed using the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and Slump Test before and after the intervention. The findings may provide evidence regarding the additional benefit of ELDOA as an adjunct to conventional physiotherapy in the management of chronic low back pain associated with dural hypomobility.
Who can participate
Age range
20 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 20 to 45 years. Male or female participants. Chronic low back pain persisting for at least 3 months. Positive Slump Test indicating dural hypomobility. Localized mechanical low back pain. Able and willing to participate in the intervention program. Willing to provide written informed consent.
Exclusion Criteria:
* History of spinal surgery within the previous 12 months. Vertebral fracture, spinal tumor, spinal infection, or other serious spinal pathology.
Spondylolisthesis, ankylosing spondylitis, scoliosis, or kyphosis confirmed clinically or radiographically.
Pregnancy. Neurological deficits or progressive neurological disorders. Skin infection or open wounds in the lumbar region that contraindicate treatment.
Severe systemic disease that may interfere with participation. Current participation in another clinical trial or structured physiotherapy program for low back pain.
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 tested a specific technique called ELDOA stretching combined with standard physiotherapy for chronic low back pain — is ELDOA something I could realistically try, and are there providers in my area who are trained to do it?
2The trial is already completed and measured disability using the Oswestry Disability Index and pain using a numeric scale — has my doctor seen the results, and do they suggest this approach worked meaningfully better than standard physiotherapy alone for people with my level of pain and disability?
3Since this study focused on people with something called 'dural hypomobility' alongside chronic low back pain, does my doctor think that description fits my situation, or would this type of stretching be less relevant for me?
4Before considering a specialized approach like ELDOA, should I first make sure I've fully explored standard physiotherapy options, and how would we know if I've given those a fair try?
5Are there any risks or physical demands involved in ELDOA stretching that I should be aware of given my specific back condition, age, or overall health?
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
Disability Measured by the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI)
Timeframe: Baseline and Week 6
2
Pain Intensity Measured by the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS)