Effects of Multifidus Lift Exercise on Endurance, Pain, and Disability in University Students With Low Back Pain
Trial statusNot yet recruiting
Trial phaseNot applicable
Trial typeInterventional
Biological sexAll
Age18-25
SponsorMehmet Akif Guler
About this trial
Nonspecific low back pain is a common musculoskeletal problem that also affects many young adults, including university students. It can negatively impact academic performance, daily life, and overall well-being. Research shows that stabilization exercises targeting the lumbar multifidus muscle play an important role in rehabilitation, but it is unclear whether modified versions of these exercises may provide additional benefits.
This study will investigate a simple modification of the traditional "bird-dog" exercise, called the "Multifidus Lift Exercise." In this version, participants maintain the contralateral knee about 10 cm above the ground while in a four-point kneeling position. This adjustment is expected to increase multifidus activation and improve back endurance.
University students aged 18-25 with nonspecific low back pain will participate in a 6-week supervised program, performing the exercise twice weekly. A healthy control group without low back pain will also be included. The main outcome will be back extensor muscle endurance (Biering-Sørensen Test). In participants with back pain, pain intensity (Visual Analog Scale) and functional disability (Oswestry Disability Index) will also be measured.
The study aims to determine whether this low-cost, practical, and time-efficient exercise can improve muscle endurance, reduce pain, and decrease disability in young adults with low back pain. Results may provide evidence for an effective and accessible preventive and therapeutic approach in student populations.
Eligibility criteria
This trial accepts healthy volunteersQualifiers
Age between 18 and 25 years
Disqualifiers
Presence of radicular pain or nerve root compression symptoms
Trial design
Design model
Parallel
Treatments tested in this trial
Modified Multifidus Lift Exercise (MLE)
BehavioralA supervised stabilization exercise protocol designed to selectively activate the lumbar multifidus muscle. In the quadruped position, the contralateral knee is maintained approximately 10 cm above the ground while the participant performs controlled trunk stabilization. Sessions are conducted twice weekly for 6 weeks, each including warm-up (5 minutes brisk walk, mobilization, hamstring stretch), the modified Multifidus Lift Exercise with progressive repetitions (weeks 1-2: 8-10, weeks 3-4: 10-12, weeks 5-6: 12-15), and cool-down (static stretches). All sessions are supervised to ensure correct form, breathing control, and safety.
Treatment groups
40 Participants
are divided into 2 treatment groupsGroup A: NSCLBP Students - Modified Multifidus Lift ExerciseExperimental treatment 1 intervention
Group B: Healthy Students - Modified Multifidus Lift ExerciseExperimental treatment 1 intervention
Trial outcomes
Primary outcomes
1
Lumbar Extensor Muscle Endurance (Biering-Sørensen Test)
Endurance of the lumbar extensor muscles will be assessed using the standardized Biering-Sørensen Test. Participants lie prone with the upper body unsupported beyond the table edge while the pelvis and lower limbs are stabilized. The duration (in seconds) that the participant can maintain the horizontal position without \>10° deviation is recorded.
Time frame
Baseline (pre-test) and after 6 weeks of intervention.Secondary outcomes
1
Pain Intensity (Visual Analog Scale, VAS)
Pain intensity will be measured using a 10-cm Visual Analog Scale, where 0 indicates "no pain" and 10 indicates "worst imaginable pain." Participants in the NSCLBP group will mark their pain level on the scale, and the distance (cm) from the "no pain" anchor will be recorded.
Time frame
Baseline (pre-test) and after 6 weeks of intervention.2
Functional Disability (Oswestry Disability Index, ODI)
The Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) will be used to assess the impact of low back pain on daily living. It consists of 10 items scored 0-5, with higher scores indicating greater disability. The total score will be converted into a percentage. Only participants in the NSCLBP group will complete the ODI.
Time frame
Baseline (pre-test) and after 6 weeks of intervention.Sponsors and contacts
Click on the lead sponsor to view all of their trials.
Mehmet Akif Guler
Lead sponsor
Selcuk University
Sponsor institution
The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey
Collaborator
Source ClinicalTrials.gov
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