Exercise Interventions for Overweight Men With Chronic Low Back Pain
Trial statusNot yet recruiting
Trial phaseNot applicable
Trial typeInterventional
Biological sexMale
Age18-59
SponsorUniversiti Sains Malaysia
About this trial
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.
Eligibility criteria
Qualifiers
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).
Disqualifiers
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 diseases that cause symptoms.
The presence of acute pain within 48 hours prior to the study date.
Trial design
Treatments tested in this trial
- Motor Control Exercise
- Aerobic Walking Exercise
- Muscle Strengthening Exercise
- Patient Education
Treatment groups
156 Participants
are divided into 4 treatment groupsSponsors and collaborators
Source ClinicalTrials.gov