Exercise-Based Strategies for Chronic Back Pain

Summary

This randomized, controlled, five-arm, parallel-group trial will evaluate the effects of 8 weeks of supervised resistance training and developmental position-based exercise, with or without real-time non-invasive intra-abdominal pressure biofeedback, in adults aged 40 to 60 years with chronic low back pain. The trial will compare supervised gym-based agonist-antagonist paired set resistance training with OHMTRACK, supervised gym-based resistance training without OHMTRACK, supervised physiotherapy-based developmental exercise with OHMTRACK, home-based developmental exercise with OHMTRACK, and an active control condition. Primary outcomes will assess changes in pain and physical function after the intervention. Secondary outcomes will include neuromuscular coordination, postural stabilization, cardiovascular, respiratory, metabolic, behavioral, feasibility, and follow-up outcomes.

Conditions

• Chronic Low-back Pain (cLBP)

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Gym settings

An 8-week supervised full-body resistance training program preceded by a 2-week familiarization phase (4 sessions). During the intervention phase, participants perform training twice weekly for 60 minutes per session. Each session includes a 10-minute warm-up, 40-minute main phase, and 10-minute cool-down. The program consists of 3 sets of 10 repetitions at 75% of 1RM, 90-second rest intervals, and a 3-0-2-1 movement tempo. Training is delivered in a gym setting under professional supervision. Resistance training with or without real-time OHMTRACK biofeedback monitor which support breathing mechanics and trunk stabilization.

BEHAVIORAL

Physio settings

An 8-week supervised exercise program based on developmental positions and neurophysiological principles, preceded by a 2-week familiarization phase (4 sessions). Participants exercise twice weekly for 60 minutes per session under physiotherapist supervision. Sessions focus on breathing coordination, deep trunk stabilization, postural control, support function, and movement quality using structured developmental movement sequences.

BEHAVIORAL

Home - based settings: exercises based on developmental positions

An 8-week home-based exercise program based on developmental positions and neurophysiological principles, preceded by a 2-week familiarization phase (4 sessions). Participants perform exercises twice weekly for 60 minutes per session using electronic manuals and video instructions. The program emphasizes breathing coordination, deep trunk stabilization, postural control, and self-correction of movement quality in an unsupervised home setting, with the possibility of contacting the research team for support.

BEHAVIORAL

Home - based settings: Usual activity monitoring

Participants continue their usual daily activities without participating in a structured resistance training or developmental position exercise program. Physical activity is monitored throughout the study using a wearable activity tracker to record daily step counts and overall movement behavior.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• The Jerzy Kukuczka Academy of Physical Education in Katowice

  collaborator OTHER

• Charles University, Czech Republic

  lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

40 Years

Max Age

60 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2027-07-01

Primary Completion

2028-03-31

Completion

2030-03-31

Countries

• Czechia

Study Locations