The Effect and Retention of Core Stability Exercises With and Without Abdominal Hollowing on Spatiotemporal Gait Parameters, Transversus Abdominis Muscle Activity and Postural Balance in Individuals With Non-Specific Chronic Low Back Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial
The aim of this study is to compare the effects and persistence of core stability exercises with and without the abdominal drawing-in maneuver on spatiotemporal gait parameters, transversus abdominis muscle activity, pain intensity, and dynamic balance in individuals with chronic non-specific low back pain.
Design
This study is a randomized controlled clinical trial with two parallel groups, involving a total of 30 participants. Participants will be randomly allocated using block randomization to two groups: Core Stability Exercises (CSE) and Core Stability Exercises combined with the Abdominal Drawing-In Maneuver (CSE+ADIM).
Settings and conduct
This randomized clinical trial will be conducted at a physiotherapy clinic in Bandar Abbas. Participants will be randomly assigned to CSE or CSE+ADIM groups and receive 8 weeks of intervention, 3 sessions/week, 40 minutes/session. Assessments will be performed at baseline, post-intervention, and one-month follow-up.
Participants/Inclusion and exclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria: Chronic non-specific low back pain; age 30–45 years; no physiotherapy or drug treatment in the past 6 months.
Exclusion criteria: Serious spinal conditions; previous spinal surgery; neurological or musculoskeletal disorders affecting gait; inability to perform study exercises or tests.
Intervention groups
Core Stability Exercise group (CSE): Participants will perform core stability exercises for 8 weeks, 3 sessions per week, 40 minutes per session. Core Stability Exercise plus Abdominal Drawing-In Maneuver group (CSE+ADIM): Participants will perform the same core stability exercise program combined with the abdominal drawing-in maneuver.
The Effect and Retention of Core Stability Exercises With and Without Abdominal Hollowing on Spatiotemporal Gait Parameters, Transversus Abdominis Muscle Activity and Postural Balance in Individuals With Non-Specific Chronic Low Back Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Public title
Effect of Core Stability Exercises With Abdominal Hollowing on Gait, Muscle Activity, and Balance in Chronic Low Back Pain.
Purpose
Treatment
Inclusion/Exclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria:
Individuals with chronic non-specific low back pain
lasting more than 12 weeks
With no history of physiotherapy or pharmacological treatment during the previous 6 months.
Exclusion criteria:
Age
From 30 years old to 45 years old
Gender
Both
Phase
N/A
Groups that have been masked
No information
Sample size
Target sample size:
30
Randomization (investigator's opinion)
Randomized
Randomization description
Eligible participants will be randomly allocated using block randomization into two groups: the Core Stability Exercise group (CSE) and the Core Stability Exercise combined with the Abdominal Drawing-In Maneuver group (CSE+ADIM). Group allocation will be performed by an individual independent of the assessment and intervention processes to minimize allocation bias.
Blinding (investigator's opinion)
Not blinded
Blinding description
Placebo
Not used
Assignment
Parallel
Other design features
Secondary Ids
empty
Ethics committees
1
Ethics committee
Name of ethics committee
kerman university of medical sciences
Street address
Daroopakhsh
City
بندرعباس
Province
Hormozgan
Postal code
7915868451
Approval date
2026-07-20, 1405/04/29
Ethics committee reference number
IR.KMU.REC.1405.146
Health conditions studied
1
Description of health condition studied
Investigating the effect of two types of core stabilization exercises on balance, gait pattern, and abdominal muscle activity in patients with chronic nonspecific low back pain.
ICD-10 code
M54.5
ICD-10 code description
Low back pain
Primary outcomes
1
Description
Spatiotemporal gait parameters include gait speed, step length, and cadence, and their changes will be assessed as indicators of gait performance and gait pattern in individuals with chronic non-specific low back pain.
Timepoint
The primary outcome will be assessed at three time points: at baseline before the intervention, immediately after completion of the intervention, and at follow-up to evaluate the persistence of the intervention effects.
Method of measurement
Spatiotemporal gait parameters, including gait speed, step length, and cadence, will be measured using Kinovea software through video analysis of gait.
Secondary outcomes
1
Description
1-Transversus abdominis muscle activity will be assessed using the Unit Biofeedback Pressure device by evaluating muscle performance during the abdominal drawing-in maneuver. Measurements will be performed at baseline, immediately after the intervention, and at one-month follow-up.2-Pain intensity will be assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Measurements will be performed at baseline, immediately after the intervention, and at one-month follow-up.3-Dynamic balance will be assessed using the Y-Balance Test. Measurements will be performed at baseline, immediately after the intervention, and at one-month follow-up.
Timepoint
Secondary outcomes, including transversus abdominis muscle activity, pain intensity, and dynamic balance, will be assessed at three time points: baseline, immediately after completion of the intervention, and at one-month follow-up.
Method of measurement
Transversus abdominis muscle activity will be assessed using the Unit Biofeedback Pressure device, pain intensity using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), and dynamic balance using the Y-Balance Test.
Intervention groups
1
Description
Intervention group:
Category
Rehabilitation
Recruitment centers
1
Recruitment center
Name of recruitment center
Taskin Physiotherapy
Full name of responsible person
Aazam Abbaszadeh
Street address
Persian Gulf Boulevard - Corner of third Khordad Street - Gambron Health Center - 3rd Floor - Unit 30
City
بندرعباس
Province
Hormozgan
Postal code
7915868451
Phone
+98 917 159 3398
Email
a.abbaszadeh.1985@gmail.com
Sponsors / Funding sources
1
Sponsor
Name of organization / entity
Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman
Full name of responsible person
Aazam Abbaszadeh
Street address
Daroopakhsh - Shahid Ansari
City
Bandar Abbas
Province
Hormozgan
Postal code
7915868451
Phone
+98 76 3368 7354
Email
a.abbaszadeh.1985@gmail.com
Grant name
Grant code / Reference number
Is the source of funding the same sponsor organization/entity?
Yes
Title of funding source
Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman
Proportion provided by this source
10
Public or private sector
Public
Domestic or foreign origin
Domestic
Category of foreign source of funding
empty
Country of origin
Type of organization providing the funding
Academic
Person responsible for general inquiries
Contact
Name of organization / entity
Shahid Bahonar university of Kerman
Full name of responsible person
Aazam Abbaszadeh
Position
PHD candidate
Latest degree
Master
Other areas of specialty/work
Sport injuries and corrective exercises
Street address
Daroopakhsh- Shahid Ansari
City
Bandar Abbas
Province
Hormozgan
Postal code
7915868451
Phone
+98 76 3368 7354
Email
a.abbaszadeh.1985@gmail.com
Person responsible for scientific inquiries
Contact
Name of organization / entity
Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman
Full name of responsible person
Aazam Abbaszadeh
Position
Phd candidate
Latest degree
Master
Other areas of specialty/work
sport injuries and corrective exercises
Street address
Daroopakhsh- Shahid Ansari alley-
City
بندرعباس
Province
Hormozgan
Postal code
7915868451
Phone
+98 76 3368 7354
Email
a.abbaszadeh.1985@gmail.com
Person responsible for updating data
Contact
Name of organization / entity
university of Shahid Bahonar of Kerman
Full name of responsible person
Aazam Abbaszadeh
Position
Phd canditate
Latest degree
Master
Other areas of specialty/work
sport injuries and corrective exercises
Street address
Daroopakhsh. Shahid Ansari
City
بندرعباس
Province
Hormozgan
Postal code
7915868451
Phone
+98 76 3368 7354
Email
a.abbaszadeh.1985@gmail.com
Sharing plan
Deidentified Individual Participant Data Set (IPD)
Yes - There is a plan to make this available
Study Protocol
Yes - There is a plan to make this available
Statistical Analysis Plan
Yes - There is a plan to make this available
Informed Consent Form
Yes - There is a plan to make this available
Clinical Study Report
Yes - There is a plan to make this available
Analytic Code
Not applicable
Data Dictionary
Not applicable
Title and more details about the data/document
The only part of the information, such as information in the main results or similar, can be shared.
When the data will become available and for how long
Start the access period begins 6 months after the publication of the research results in a scientific journal
To whom data/document is available
The data will be available to all scientific researchers.
Under which criteria data/document could be used
It may only be used to assist in scientific research and with the written permission of the researcher.
From where data/document is obtainable
To receive data/documents, contact the researcher via email and phone.
What processes are involved for a request to access data/document
Data/documents are made available to other researchers via email.