Low back pain is one of the most prevalent musculoskeletal conditions worldwide and is a leading cause of disability and reduced quality of life. Non-specific low back pain (NSLBP), which has no identifiable underlying pathology, accounts for the majority of low back pain cases and often requires a multidisciplinary rehabilitation approach.
Body awareness-based exercises aim to improve postural control, movement quality, and the individual's perception of bodily sensations, and have been shown to be beneficial in chronic pain management. Electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) is a non-invasive modality that enhances neuromuscular activation and may support functional recovery when combined with exercise interventions.
The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of EMS-combined body awareness exercises on pain intensity, functional disability, and body awareness in individuals with non-specific low back pain. Participants will be randomly assigned to either an intervention group receiving EMS-assisted body awareness training or a control group receiving standard body awareness exercises. Outcome measures will be assessed before and after the intervention period.
This study aims to provide evidence on whether the addition of EMS to body awareness-based rehabilitation leads to superior clinical outcomes compared to body awareness exercises alone in individuals with non-specific low back pain.
Aged between 18 and 65 years
Diagnosed with non-specific low back pain for at least 3 months
Pain intensity of ≥4 on the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS)
Ability to understand and follow exercise instructions
Specific causes of low back pain (e.g., disc herniation with neurological deficit, spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis, fracture, infection, tumor)
History of spinal surgery within the last 12 months
Known neurological disorders affecting movement or sensation
Diagnosed rheumatological or inflammatory diseases (e.g., ankylosing spondylitis, rheumatoid arthritis)
Parallel
EMS-Assisted Body Awareness Exercises
BehavioralThis intervention consists of a body awareness-based rehabilitation program supported by electrical muscle stimulation. EMS will be applied to the lumbar and trunk muscles during selected exercises to facilitate muscle activation, improve postural control, and enhance sensorimotor awareness. The exercise program will include postural alignment, breathing regulation, controlled movement patterns, and proprioceptive training.
Exercises
BehavioralThis intervention consists of a structured body awareness-based exercise program focusing on postural control, breathing, movement quality, and proprioceptive awareness. Exercises will be performed without any electrical stimulation and will be supervised by trained physiotherapists
Functional Disability
Functional disability will be evaluated using the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), which assesses the impact of low back pain on daily activities such as walking, sitting, standing, and lifting. Higher scores indicate greater levels of disability.
Pain intensity
Pain intensity will be assessed using the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), where participants rate their current low back pain intensity on an 11-point scale ranging from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst imaginable pain). The NRS is a valid and reliable tool for measuring pain in individuals with musculoskeletal conditions. Time Frame: Baseline and post-intervention (after completion of the intervention period)
Click on the lead sponsor to view all of their trials.
Recep Tayyip Erdogan University
Lead sponsor
İstanbul Yeni Yüzyıl Üniversitesi
Collaborator
This trial is not recruiting at the moment. You can still explore other options:
