This randomized controlled study will investigate the effects of connective tissue massage combined with core stabilization exercises in patients with mechanical low back pain. Participants will be assigned to two groups: one will receive core stabilization exercises with connective tissue massage, while the other will receive only core stabilization exercises. Pain will be evaluated using the Visual Analog Scale, functionality will be assessed with the Oswestry Disability Index, and endurance will be measured with static and dynamic curl-up, static back endurance, and side bridge tests. Quality of life will be assessed with the SF-36, and instrumental daily living activities will be evaluated with the Lawton \& Brody Scale. The results will demonstrate whether adding connective tissue massage to core stabilization exercises will provide additional benefits in pain reduction, functional improvement, endurance, and quality of life compared to exercises alone.
This randomized controlled clinical trial will evaluate the effects of connective tissue massage (CTM) combined with core stabilization exercises (CSEs) on pain, functionality, endurance, and quality of life in patients with mechanical low back pain. A total of 29-30 participants aged 20 to 55 years who will be diagnosed with mechanical low back pain will be recruited. Participants will be randomized into two groups: Experimental group: will receive core stabilization exercises plus connective tissue massage. Control group: will receive only core stabilization exercises. All interventions will be delivered under physiotherapist supervision in the physiotherapy and rehabilitation laboratories. The exercise program will include progressive core stabilization exercises performed twice per week for eight weeks, each session lasting approximately 50 minutes (10 minutes warm-up, 30 minutes core stabilization, 10 minutes cool-down). The experimental group will additionally receive 20 minutes of connective tissue massage twice per week during the same 8-week intervention period. Outcome measures will include: Pain: Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Functionality: Oswestry Disability Index. Endurance: Static and dynamic curl-up, static back endurance, and horizontal side bridge tests. Lumbar mobility: Finger-to-floor distance. Muscle strength: Manual muscle testing. Quality of life: Short Form-36 (SF-36). Instrumental activities of daily living: Lawton \& Brody Instrumental ADL Scale. Assessments will be performed at baseline and after the 8-week intervention period. The study will hypothesize that connective tissue massage combined with core stabilization exercises will provide greater improvements in pain relief, functional status, muscular endurance, and quality of life compared to core stabilization exercises alone. The results will contribute evidence on whether connective tissue massage will offer an additional therapeutic benefit when integrated into a rehabilitation program for patients with mechanical low back pain.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
TRIPLE
Enrollment
30
Participants will receive supervised core stabilization exercises twice weekly for 8 weeks (≈50 min: 10 min warm-up, 30 min stabilization, 10 min cool-down), progressing from basic trunk activation and bridging to plank and ball-assisted tasks. A daily 60-min home program with illustrated handouts will be prescribed.
each supervised session will include 20 min of connective tissue massage (CTM) applied bilaterally to lumbar and lower thoracic regions using oblique and transverse pulls at connective tissue reflex zones. CTM will be performed in seated or prone position depending on patient comfort
Biruni University
Istanbul, Turkey (Türkiye)
Oswestry Disability Index (ODI)
Functional status will be assessed with the ODI, a 10-item questionnaire scored from 0 to 5 per item, covering pain intensity, personal care, lifting, walking, sitting, standing, sleeping, social life, traveling, and changing pain intensity. Scores will be converted into percentages, with higher scores indicating greater disability. The total score will be calculated as a percentage, where 0% indicates no disability and 100% represents the highest level of disability.
Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 8 weeks
Visual Analog Scale (VAS)
Pain intensity will be measured using the Visual Analog Scale, a 10-cm horizontal line ranging from 0 ("no pain") to 10 ("worst pain imaginable"). Higher scores will indicate greater pain severity.
Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 8 weeks
Curl-Up Test (Static and Dynamic)
Abdominal endurance will be measured by static and dynamic curl-up tests. For the static test, participants will maintain a standardized trunk-flexion position until fatigue. For the dynamic test, participants will perform as many curl-ups as possible within 1 minute. Longer holding times or higher repetitions will indicate greater endurance. Measured in seconds/repetitions, with higher values indicating greater endurance.
Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 8 weeks
Biering-Sørensen Test
Back extensor endurance will be evaluated by maintaining the upper body in a horizontal position over the edge of a table while the pelvis and legs are stabilized. Time will be recorded in seconds, with longer duration indicating greater endurance. Higher scores will indicate greater endurance.
Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 8 weeks.
Side Bridge Test
Spinal stabilizer endurance will be measured in a side-lying position with support on the elbow and feet. Participants will elevate the pelvis to align the body horizontally and maintain this position as long as possible. Longer holding times will indicate higher endurance capacity. The test will be terminated when the participant can no longer maintain the straight body position or after 240 seconds. Higher scores will indicate greater endurance.
Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 8 weeks.
Finger-to-Floor Distance Test
Lumbar spine flexibility will be assessed by asking participants to bend forward with knees extended and attempt to touch the floor. The distance in centimeters between the fingertips and the floor will be measured. Smaller distances will indicate better mobility.
Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 8 weeks
Manual Muscle Testing (MMT, Lovett Scale)
Flexibility of hip flexors, hamstrings, and lumbar extensors will be assessed through standardized muscle length tests. Presence of limited range will indicate muscle tightness.
Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 8 weeks
Short Form-36 Health Survey (SF-36)
Health-related quality of life will be evaluated using the SF-36, consisting of 8 subscales (physical functioning, role physical, bodily pain, general health, vitality, social functioning, role emotional, mental health). Each domain is scored from 0 to 100, with higher scores reflecting better health status.
Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 8 weeks
Lawton & Brody Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) Scale
Functional independence in daily living will be assessed with the IADL scale, which includes activities such as using the telephone, shopping, food preparation, housekeeping, laundry, transportation, medication management, and handling finances. Scores range from 0 to 24, with higher scores indicating greater independence.
Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 8 weeks
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