Effects of Feldenkrais and Otago Exercise Protocols for Mechanical Low Back Pain

Summary

Low back pain (LBP) is a common health issue-affecting individual across diverse ages and socio- economic backgrounds, with approximately 80% of the population experiencing this musculoskeletal concern at some point in their lives. Despite its prevalence, the prognosis for LBP is generally favorable, emphasizing the importance of effective management strategies aimed at reducing pain and improving functional ability. The Feldenkrais Method and the Otago Exercise Programme (OEP) are two interdisciplinary approaches that have demonstrated promise in addressing mechanical non-specific low back pain. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of these two intervention protocols in alleviating chronic low back pain while concurrently enhancing functional abilities and reducing the risk of falls among older adults.

The study will be a randomized controlled trial conducted on participants. Data will be collected from Farooq hospital and Boston physiotherapy and wellness clinic. This study will be completed in time duration of 10 months after the approval of synopsis. Non-probability convenience sampling technique will be used and participant's age between 45-65, having mechanical low back pain for more than 3 months will be recruited in study after computer generated randomization. However, participants who have any chronic illness like recurrent spinal surgery, Malignancy, Spine Infection, Spinal fracture and congenital disturbance shall be excluded from this study. The subjects will be divided into two groups. Group A will receive awareness through movement sessions of trunk mobility, which will be guided verbally(such as rolling head left and right, bringing knees to chest, tilting to the sides, rolling pelvis.) and Group B will receive lower limb strength and balance exercises like knee extensions and hip abduction.

All these sessions will be of 30 minutes to for 2 sessions per week for 6 weeks. Pre and post assessments will be conducted and the tools that will be used are NPRS for pain, Universal goniometer for ROM, Functional disability (Oswestry Disability Index), Falls-related self-efficacy will be assessed by the Activities-Specific Balance Confidence (ABC) Scale. and Balance (Berg Balance Scale). Data will be analyzed by using SPSS version 26.0.

Conditions

• Low Back Pain

Interventions

OTHER

Feldenkrais method

"Activating flexors" "The pelvic clock"twisting)."Side lying lesson for improving the integration of arms, shoulders and spine" (reaching motion of shoulders in different directions)."Transitioning from supine to side lying to sitting" (lying supine involving flexion, extension, and twisting)."Twisting on the side" "Twisting from supine with head fixed to the side" (by limiting the movement of the head, the rib cage is forced to participate in the twisting motion) "Lengthening the hamstrings" "Arm circles" (lying on side, circling arms in different directions). "Rolling from supine to prone via hip rotation

OTHER

Otago exercise protocol.

The study began by completing all 3-outcome measures by first asking about their pain intensity then by checking their balance through Berg Balance Scale and then checking the level of function through ODI questionere. The OEP included the following exercises: knee extension and knee flexion, hip abduction, calf raises, toe raises, sit to stand, semi squats from a standing position, tandem stand, tandem walk, sideways walking, backwards walking, heel walking, toe walking, one leg stand, and walking and turning around. All exercises will be performed with 10-20 repetitions, which will be progressed after 2 week.(12)

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Riphah International University

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Rabiya Noor, PHD · Riphah International University

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Max Age

65 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2024-12-15

Primary Completion

2025-05-15

Completion

2025-06-15

Countries

• Pakistan

Study Locations