CClinicalTrials.gg
CompletedNCT07775131MGCS VS SCCPUpdated Aug 20, 2026

Mcgill Core Stabilization Exercises VS Sahrmann Core Control Protocol on Pain and Functional Disability in Patients With NSCLBP

An interventional study of McGill core stabilization group and Sahrmann Core Control group in Non Specfic Chronic Low Back Pain, sponsored by University of Faisalabad. Completed at 1 site in Pakistan. Open to participants aged 18 Years to 45 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-08-20.

Sponsored by University of Faisalabad · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment

Phase
Not applicable
Study type
Interventional
Enrollment
44
Allocation
Randomized
Ages
18 Years to 45 Years
Sex
All
01

Study summary

Non-specific chronic low back pain (NSCLBP) is a common musculoskeletal condition associated with persistent pain, functional disability, reduced physical activity and impaired quality of life. The thesis explains that impaired core stability, poor neuromuscular control, muscle imbalance and faulty movement patterns can contribute to persistent low back pain. Exercise-based rehabilitation is therefore an important component of conservative management.

The study was designed as a randomized clinical trial conducted in an orthopedic and physiotherapy clinic. The study population consisted of males and females with NSCLBP. Participants were divided into two treatment groups: Group A received McGill Core Stabilization Exercises, consisting of modified curl-up, side plank and bird-dog exercises, while Group B received the Sahrmann Core Control Protocol, consisting of progressive core-control exercises from Level 1 to Level 5.

The primary outcome measures were the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) for pain intensity and the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) for functional disability. Assessments were performed before and after the rehabilitation intervention.this study aims advantage to its individualized, movement-specific approach and emphasis on correcting faulty movement patterns and improving neuromuscular control.

02

Conditions studied

  • Non Specfic Chronic Low Back Pain

Keywords

  • McGill core stabilization exercises
  • Sahrmann core control
  • Non Specific Chronic Low Back Pain
03

Who can participate

Ages eligible
18 Years to 45 Years
Sexes eligible
All
Accepts healthy volunteers
No

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:• Age 18 to 45 years (male\female)

  • Diagnosed with NSCLBP for more than 12 weeks
  • Pain intensity ≥ 3/10 (NPRS).
  • ODI score ≥ 20%
  • Not receiving any physiotherapy in the last 4 weeks
  • Able to perform exercise and attend follow-up sessions

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Radiculopathy or neurological deficits
  • History of spinal surgery
  • Red flags (cancer, fracture, infection)
  • Pregnancy
  • Cardiopulmonary disease limiting exercise
04

Study design

Phase
Not applicable
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomized
Intervention model
Parallel assignment
Masking
Single (Participant)
Enrollment
44 participants (actual)

Study arms

  • Experimental
    McGill core stabilization group

    mcgill core stability exercises has three exercise of mcgill (curl-up, side plank, bird dog) done in order to must maintain a neutral spine while using controlled, painless motions to engage the deep stabilizing muscles.

    Other: McGill core stabilization group

  • Active comparator
    Sahrmann core control Protocol Group

    Participants perform 5 different levels of sahrmann core control protocol patient exercises, including heel slide, single leg lift, alternate leg lift, alternate leg extension during e session and double leg lowering which are a progressive series of core stability exercises.

    Other: Sahrmann Core Control group

Interventions

  • OtherMcGill core stabilization group

    To conduct mcgill core stability exercises, three exercise of mcgill (curl-up, side plank, bird dog) done in order to must maintain a neutral spine while using controlled, painless motions to engage the deep stabilizing muscles. To perform a curl-up, lie on back with one knee bent, position hands under lower back, softly brace midsection, and lift just head and shoulder blades for a short hold without bending your spine.To perform the side plank, lie on side with elbow underneath shoulder, brace core and lift your hips into a straight line from head to toe. You must keep up this position without permitting trunk to droop. the bird dog, which requires kneeling on hands and knees, bracing the core and carefully extending one arm and opposite leg while maintaining a stable trunk and level back for a brief hold before switching to the other side. Exercises done with slowly, focus on stability rather than range of motion or exercises done 10 reputation with 10 second hold

  • OtherSahrmann Core Control group

    The exercises are performed in stages, from simple movements to more complicated ones, including leg lifts, single-leg extensions and double-leg lowers. The main point, at all levels, is maintaining the pelvis. One commonality through all levels is maintaining a neutral lower back no arching, no tilting, no rib flaring. This progression of movement is used to help the core learn how to stabilize the spine during functional tasks to enhance lumbopelvic stability, motor control, and promote proper movement patterns while reducing low back pain. The exercise lasted for ten seconds in the final position of the level. Each of the five levels was separated by a 1 minute break interval

05

What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. Numeric pain Rating Scale (NPRS)

    For pain intensity numeric rating pain scale will be used The NPRS asks the patient to rate their pain on a 0-10 scale, where 0 = No pain 1-3 = Mild pain 4-6 = Moderate pain 7-10 = Severe pain Patients choose a number that best describes their present pain, average pain, or worst pain

    Time frame: baseline week 0 and 6-week

  2. OSWESTRY DISABILITY INDEX

    Osvestry disability index scale use for NSLBP. The ODI contains 10 sections, each assessing a different functional area, degree of pain, Personal care (washing/dressing), Lifting, Walking, Sitting, Standing, Sleeping, Social life, Traveling Each section is scored 0-5, where: 0 = No disability 5 = Maximum disability The patient selects one statement per section that best describes their condition

    Time frame: baseline week 0 and week6

06

Study locations

1 site
  • Department of Rehabilitation Sciences , The University of Faisalabad
    Faisalābad, Punjab Province 38000, Pakistan
07

References and documents

Publications

  • Akodu A, Tella B and Olujobi O (2015) Effect of stabilization exercise on pain and quality of life of patients with non-specific chronic low back pain. African Journal of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Sciences 7(1): 7-11. Alqhtani RS, Ahmed H, Ghulam et al.(2024) Efficacy of core-strengthening and intensive dynamic back exercises on pain core muscle endurance and functional disability in patients with chronic non-specific low back pain A randomized comparative study. Journal of Clinical Medicine 13(2): 475-489 Ammar TA (2019) McGill exercises versus conventional exercises in chronic low back pain. Life Science Journal 9(5): 393-397. Baghani P, Naserpour N and Piri H (2023) Supervised group exercise therapy versus home based exercise therapy: the effect of mcgill exercises on pain, disability and trunk stability in middle-aged women with non-specific chronic low back pain. Physical Treatments-Specific Physical Therapy Journal 13(2): 127-134. Chakraborty J, Kumar P and Sarkar B (2019) Comparative study of motor control exercises and global core stabilization exercises on pain, rom and function in subjects with chronic nonspecific low back pain a randomized clinical trial. International Journal of Health Sciences and Research 9(8): 116-123. Chan E, Nadzalan A, Othman Z et al. (2020) The short-term effects of progressive vs conventional core stability exercise in rehabilitation of nonspecific chronic low back pain. Sains Malays 49(10): 2527-37. Chiarotto A and Koes BW (2022) Nonspecific low back pain. New England Journal of Medicine 38(6): 1732-1740. Childs JD, Piva SR and Fritz JM (2020) Responsiveness of the numeric pain rating scale in patients with low back pain. Spine Rehab Journal 30(11): 1331-1334. Eroglu S and Karatas G (2021) The effect of low back pain on quality of life and anxiety levels in women. Akdeniz Tıp Dergisi 7(1): 212-219. Fatoye F, Gebrye T and Odeyemi I (2019) Real-world incidence and prevalence of low back pain using routinely collected data

Individual participant data

Plan to share: Undecided

08

Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT07775131
Lead sponsor
University of Faisalabad
Responsible party
Sponsor
First posted
Aug 20, 2026
Start date
Apr 24, 2026
Primary completion
Jul 7, 2026
Completion
Aug 7, 2026
Last update
Aug 20, 2026

Oversight

Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
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