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Active, not recruitingNCT07031947Updated Mar 27, 2026

The Effect of Core Stabilization Exercises Applied With Virtual Reality-Based Telerehabilitation in the Treatment of Chronic Low Back Pain

An interventional study of Core stabilization exercise with telerehabilitation and Face-to-face core stabilization exercise in Low Back Pain, Low Back Pain, Mechanical and Low Back Pain and Core Muscle, sponsored by Istanbul University. Active, not recruiting at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye). Open to participants aged 20 Years to 60 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-03-27.

Sponsored by Istanbul University · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment

From the registry’s dates

  • Primary completion was expected by Mar 2026, 6 months ago, but the record still lists the study as active, not recruiting.
Phase
Not applicable
Study type
Interventional
Enrollment
80
Allocation
Randomized
Ages
20 Years to 60 Years
Sex
All
01

Study summary

A total of 80 patients, aged between 20 and 60 years, diagnosed with non-specific low back pain and not meeting the exclusion criteria, who registered at the outpatient clinics of the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Istanbul University, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, between June 1, 2024 and June 1, 2025, were planned to be included in our thesis study, which was planned to be prospective, randomized and single-blind. After the patients are informed verbally and in writing about the purpose, duration and application method of the study and their consent is obtained, they will be asked to sign the "Informed Consent Form". Patient evaluation and follow-up forms will be filled out during pre-treatment and post-treatment follow-ups. After patients who meet the study inclusion criteria are included in the study, they will be numbered according to the order of application and then randomly assigned to the intervention group or control group by a computer program into 2 groups.

In addition to a brochure containing patient education, showing the application method of core stabilization exercises, the number of sets and repetitions, the intervention group (G1) will receive a back school program in a total of 2 sessions of videoconference interviews, and the exercises will be explained to them, supported by visuals and videos. In addition, patients will be provided with the application that will be provided with your support, and will be provided with core stabilization exercises 3 times a week for 8 weeks.

The control group (G2) will receive a brochure that includes patient education, showing the application method of core stabilization exercises, the number of sets and repetitions, as well as a face-to-face back school program in our hospital for a total of 2 sessions. The exercise program will be carried out face to face, 3 sessions per week for 8 weeks, at the Istanbul University, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, under the supervision of a physician, with each exercise session being in groups of 8 people.

02

Conditions studied

  • Low Back Pain
  • Low Back Pain, Mechanical
  • Low Back Pain and Core Muscle
  • Core Stabilization Exercise Therapy

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03

In context

Low Back Pain

2,818 studies on the registry are indexed under Low Back Pain; 482 are open to participants now.

This study's planned enrollment of 80 is above the median of 60 across 2,268 interventional studies indexed under Low Back Pain.

Browse Low Back Pain studies →

Lead sponsor

Istanbul University is the lead sponsor of 496 studies on the registry; 79 are open to participants now.

Of its 5 completed or terminated interventional studies of FDA-regulated products, 1 (20%) have results posted.

Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.

04

Who can participate

Ages eligible
20 Years to 60 Years
Sexes eligible
All
Accepts healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

Between 20 and 60 years of age Non-specific low back pain lasting more than 3 months (VAS > 2) No neurological deficits such as abnormal sensation, loss of muscle strength, or loss of reflexes in the lower extremity No indication for surgery Able to attend treatment 3 days a week for 8 weeks

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion Criteria:

Participating in a physical therapy or exercise program in the last 3 months Previous surgery, dislocation, or fracture in the lumbar region Rheumatic / autoimmune disease Serious cardiovascular disease, progressive neurological deficit, severe osteoporosis, or metabolic diseases Having a systemic disease that can cause back pain Pregnancy or lactation Uncontrolled hypertension Having problems perceiving verbal commands Not having internet access Not having equipment to make video calls at home Not having a device at home to use the application

05

Study design

Phase
Not applicable
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomized
Intervention model
Parallel assignment
Masking
Single (Outcomes assessor)
Enrollment
80 participants (estimated)

Study arms

  • Active comparator
    Telerehabilitation Group

    Other: Core stabilization exercise with telerehabilitation

  • Other
    Face-to-face rehabilitation group

    Other: Face-to-face core stabilization exercise

Interventions

  • OtherCore stabilization exercise with telerehabilitation

    In addition to a brochure containing patient education, showing the application method of core stabilization exercises, the number of sets and repetitions, the intervention group (G1) will receive a back school program in a total of 2 sessions of videoconference interviews, and the exercises will be explained to them, supported by visuals and videos. In addition, patients will be provided with the application that will be provided with your support, and will be provided with core stabilization exercises 3 times a week for 8 weeks.

  • OtherFace-to-face core stabilization exercise

    The control group (G2) will receive a brochure that includes patient education, showing the application method of core stabilization exercises, the number of sets and repetitions, as well as a face-to-face back school program in our hospital for a total of 2 sessions. The exercise program will be carried out face to face, 3 sessions per week for 8 weeks, at the Istanbul University, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, under the supervision of a physician, with each exercise session being in groups of 8 people.

06

What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Index

    It is a commonly used and validated scale for measuring disability in low back pain. It consists of a total of 10 questions. Each question is scored on a scale of 0 to 5. Higher scores indicate worse symptoms or functioning.

    Time frame: Day 1 (before starting treatment), Day 60 (end of treatment), Day 120 (two months after the end of treatment)

  2. Visuel Analog Scale

    The severity of pain before treatment is assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), a 10 cm long line with "no pain" on the left end and "unbearable pain" on the right end. The distance in centimeters between the point marked by the patient and the 0 point is measured. The average pain level before and after treatment will be evaluated using the VAS, scored between 0 and 10; 0 indicates no pain, and 10 indicates the worst possible pain.

    Time frame: Day 1 (before starting treatment), Day 60 (end of treatment), Day 120 (two months after the end of treatment)

Secondary outcomes

  1. Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire

    It is a validated scale used to measure disability in low back pain. The total score ranges from 0 (no disability) to 24 (severe disability). A higher total score indicates decreased patient functionality. Higher scores reflect worse symptoms or function.

    Time frame: Day 1 (before starting treatment), Day 60 (end of treatment), Day 120 (two months after the end of treatment)

  2. Tampa Kinesiophobia Fatigue Scale

    The Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia is a 17-item tool used to assess fear of movement. A 4-point Likert scoring system is used in the questionnaire. Items 4, 8, 12, and 16 are reverse scored, and the total score is calculated by summing all items. The total score ranges from 17 to 68. A higher score on the scale indicates a higher level of kinesiophobia.

    Time frame: Day 1 (before starting treatment), Day 60 (end of treatment), Day 120 (two months after the end of treatment)

  3. Measurement of Bilateral Lumbar Multifidus and Transversus Abdominis Muscle Thickness with Ultrasound Imaging

    Ultrasonographic evaluation will be performed using the Esaote Mylab 60 device. The resting muscle thickness of the lumbar multifidus will be measured longitudinally with a convex probe at the L4-L5 facet level at the end of expiration while the patient is in the prone position. After the contralateral arm-raising maneuver, the contracted thickness of the multifidus will be measured at the same level. The transversus abdominis measurement will be performed at the end of expiration in the supine position, with knees bent, heels resting on the table, and hands placed under the head. A linear probe will be used at the midpoint between the 12th rib and the iliac crest, 2.5 cm anterior to the mid-axillary line. Following the ipsilateral straight leg raise maneuver, the contracted transversus abdominis thickness will be measured at the same level.

    Time frame: Day 1 (before starting treatment), Day 60 (end of treatment), Day 120 (two months after the end of treatment)

  4. Assessment of Trunk Muscle Strength with Computerized Isokinetic Dynamometer

    In our study, trunk extensor and flexor muscle strengths will be measured with a Biodex System 3-Pro (Biodex Medical Systems, Inc, New York, USA) computerized isokinetic dynamometer machine. Maximum strength will be used to perform trunk extension and flexion at speeds of 60°/s, 90°/s, and 120°/s, respectively, with 5 repetitions at each speed. Peak torque and total work values of the participants will be recorded.

    Time frame: Day 1 (before starting treatment), Day 60 (end of treatment), Day 120 (two months after the end of treatment)

07

Study locations

1 site
  • Istanbul Unıversity, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
    Istanbul, Turkey (Türkiye)
08

References and documents

Individual participant data

Plan to share: Undecided

No publications or documents are linked to this record.

09

Updates

Tracking since Sep 25, 2026
No changes since tracking began. The registry record was last updated on Mar 27, 2026, before this site started recording changes on Sep 25, 2026. Its history is on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
10

Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT07031947
Lead sponsor
Istanbul University
Collaborators
Istanbul University - Cerrahpasa
Responsible party
Emre Öney (Medical Doctor, Istanbul University) — Principal investigator
First posted
Jun 22, 2025
Start date
Jul 1, 2025
Primary completion
Mar 31, 2026 (estimated)
Completion
Jul 30, 2026 (estimated)
Last update
Mar 27, 2026

Oversight

Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
View the source record on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

Not currently enrolling

This study is active, not recruiting, as verified in Mar 2026. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.

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