Effects Of Sahrmann's Versus McGill Exercise In Patients With Non-Specific Low Back Pain

Overview

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn whether Sahrmann exercises or McGill exercises are more effective for reducing pain and improving function in adults with non-specific low back pain. It will also evaluate which exercise program is more effective in improving spinal range of motion. The main questions it aims to answer are: Do Sahrmann exercises reduce pain more effectively than McGill exercises? Do Sahrmann exercises improve disability more effectively than McGill exercises? Do Sahrmann exercises improve lumbar range of motion more effectively than McGill exercises? Researchers will compare a Sahrmann exercise program with a McGill exercise program to determine which approach produces better outcomes in patients with non-specific low back pain. Participants will: Be randomly assigned to either a Sahrmann exercise group or a McGill exercise group. Receive standard physical therapy treatment, including heat therapy and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS). Perform the assigned exercise program under the supervision of a physiotherapist. Attend exercise sessions 3-5 times per week during the study period. Complete assessments of pain, disability, and lumbar range of motion before and after the intervention. Have pain measured using the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), disability measured using the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and lumbar range of motion measured using a Baseline Bubble Inclinometer.

Non-specific low back pain (NSLBP) is one of the most prevalent musculoskeletal disorders and a major cause of disability worldwide. It is characterized by pain localized between the lower rib margins and the gluteal folds without a specific identifiable pathology. Individuals with NSLBP often experience pain, reduced spinal mobility, impaired motor control, and functional limitations that negatively affect daily activities and quality of life. Exercise-based rehabilitation is widely recommended as a first-line treatment for NSLBP. Core stabilization exercises have gained considerable attention because deficits in trunk muscle function and lumbopelvic stability are believed to contribute to the persistence and recurrence of low back pain. Among the commonly used approaches, Sahrmann exercises and McGill exercises are designed to improve spinal stability through different mechanisms. The Sahrmann approach emphasizes motor control training and the correction of movement impairments through progressive lumbopelvic stabilization exercises. The McGill approach focuses on enhancing spinal stability and muscular endurance while minimizing spinal loading through a series of stabilization exercises commonly referred to as the McGill Big Three. Although both approaches are frequently used in rehabilitation practice, evidence directly comparing their effectiveness in individuals with NSLBP remains limited. This randomized controlled trial aims to compare the effects of Sahrmann exercises and McGill exercises on clinical outcomes in adults with non-specific low back pain. Participants will be randomly allocated to one of two treatment groups and will receive a supervised exercise program in addition to standard physical therapy care. Clinical assessments will be conducted before and after the intervention period to evaluate changes in pain, functional disability, and lumbar mobility. The findings of this study may help identify the more effective exercise-based rehabilitation approach for individuals with non-specific low back pain and provide evidence to support clinical decision-making in physical therapy practice.