An interventional study of Dual-Task Core Stabilization Exercise and Single-Task Core Stabilization Exercise in Chronic Nonspecific Low Back Pain, sponsored by Karabuk University. Not yet recruiting at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye). Open to participants aged 18 Years to 55 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-10-26.
Sponsored by Karabuk University · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment
This study will investigate whether adding cognitive tasks to core stabilization exercises improves the ability to perform physical and mental tasks simultaneously in adults with chronic nonspecific low back pain.
A total of 90 participants aged 18-55 years will be randomly assigned to one of two groups. Both groups will complete the same supervised core stabilization exercise program, consisting of 18 sessions over six weeks. In the dual-task group, participants will perform cognitive activities, such as mental arithmetic and memory tasks, while exercising. In the single-task group, participants will perform the same exercises without additional cognitive tasks.
The primary outcome will be motor dual-task cost during the Timed Up and Go test, which measures the change in functional mobility performance when a cognitive task is performed simultaneously. Secondary outcomes will include cognitive dual-task performance, walking speed, balance, pain intensity, disability, and fear of movement.
Assessments will be conducted before treatment, immediately after the intervention, and at the 12-week follow-up.
The study aims to determine whether combining cognitive and physical tasks during core stabilization training provides additional benefits compared with conventional core stabilization exercises alone.
Chronic nonspecific low back pain (CNSLBP) is associated with impaired trunk motor control, pain-related disability, and alterations in functional movement. Many daily activities require individuals to perform motor and cognitive tasks simultaneously. However, conventional core stabilization exercises are generally performed under single-task conditions, which may limit the transfer of acquired motor skills to daily activities requiring divided attention.
This prospective, single-center, parallel-group, assessor-blinded randomized controlled trial will investigate the additional effects of concurrent cognitive tasks during core stabilization training in adults with CNSLBP.
Ninety participants aged 18-55 years will be enrolled at the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Karabuk University Faculty of Medicine, Türkiye. Participants will be randomly assigned to two intervention groups in a 1:1 allocation ratio using age-stratified permuted block randomization with variable block sizes of four and six. The age strata will be 18-39 and 40-55 years.
Both groups will receive an identical six-week core stabilization program consisting of 18 supervised sessions, three sessions per week. Each session will last 40 minutes, including a five-minute warm-up, 30 minutes of core stabilization exercises, and a five-minute cool-down.
The exercise program will progress through three stages: muscle activation (weeks 1-2), static stabilization (weeks 3-4), and dynamic and functional stabilization (weeks 5-6).
In the experimental group, participants will perform progressively challenging cognitive tasks simultaneously with stabilization exercises. Cognitive activities will include backward counting, verbal fluency tasks, reverse spelling, and working-memory tasks. Participants will be instructed to distribute attention equally between the motor and cognitive tasks.
The active comparator group will perform the same exercise program without concurrent cognitive tasks.
The primary outcome will be motor dual-task cost during the Timed Up and Go test at the post-intervention assessment. Motor dual-task cost will be calculated as the percentage increase in test completion time under dual-task compared with single-task conditions.
Secondary outcomes will include cognitive dual-task cost, walking speed assessed
Karabuk University is the lead sponsor of 132 studies on the registry; 31 are open to participants now.
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**Inclusion Criteria:**
**Exclusion Criteria:**
Participants in this group will perform a six-week supervised core stabilization exercise program combined with concurrent cognitive tasks. The intervention will consist of 18 sessions, three sessions per week, with each session lasting 40 minutes. The exercise program will progress through muscle activation, static stabilization, and dynamic functional stabilization stages. Cognitive tasks will include backward counting, verbal fluency, reverse spelling, and working-memory activities, with progressively increasing difficulty. Participants will be instructed to give equal attention to the motor and cognitive tasks.
Behavioral: Dual-Task Core Stabilization Exercise
Participants in this group will receive the same six-week supervised core stabilization exercise program without concurrent cognitive tasks. The program will consist of 18 sessions, three sessions per week, lasting 40 minutes each. Exercise content, intensity, progression, session duration, and therapist supervision will be identical to the experimental group. The physiotherapist will provide only standard instructions regarding exercise performance, without additional cognitive or attention-demanding tasks.
Behavioral: Single-Task Core Stabilization Exercise
Participants will receive 18 supervised individual sessions over six weeks (three sessions per week, 40 minutes per session). Each session includes a 5-minute warm-up, 30 minutes of core stabilization exercises, and a 5-minute cool-down. Exercises progress from deep trunk muscle activation (weeks 1-2) to static stabilization (weeks 3-4) and dynamic functional stabilization (weeks 5-6). Concurrent verbal cognitive tasks increase in difficulty and include backward counting, category naming, verbal fluency, reverse spelling, auditory working-memory tasks, and category switching. Participants are instructed to give equal attention to motor and cognitive tasks. The first session is dedicated to exercise instruction.
Participants will receive 18 supervised individual sessions of core stabilization exercises over six weeks (three sessions per week, 40 minutes per session). The exercise program will be identical to that of the dual-task group, progressing through muscle activation, static stabilization, and dynamic functional stabilization stages. No concurrent cognitive tasks will be performed.
Motor Dual-Task Cost During the Timed Up and Go Test
Motor dual-task cost will be calculated as \[(dual-task TUG time - single-task TUG time) / single-task TUG time\] × 100. TUG time will be measured in seconds. During the dual-task condition, participants will count backward by threes while performing the TUG test. Two trials per condition will be averaged. Higher percentages indicate greater deterioration in motor performance under dual-task conditions. The primary comparison will be the post-intervention value adjusted for baseline performance and age stratum.
Time frame: Baseline and post-intervention (approximately 6 weeks)
Cognitive Dual-Task Cost During the Timed Up and Go Test
Cognitive performance will be assessed by counting backward by threes under seated single-task and walking dual-task conditions. The correct response rate will be calculated as correct responses per second. Cognitive dual-task cost (%) = \[(single-task correct response rate - dual-task correct response rate) / single-task correct response rate\] × 100. Higher values indicate greater cognitive performance deterioration.
Time frame: Baseline, post-intervention (approximately 6 weeks), and 12-week follow-up.
Walking Speed During the 10-Meter Walk Test
Walking speed will be assessed under single-task and cognitive dual-task conditions on a 14-meter walkway, with the central 10 meters timed. During the dual-task condition, participants will count backward by threes. Two trials per condition will be averaged. Walking speed will be expressed in meters per second (m/s), with higher values indicating faster walking.
Time frame: Baseline, post-intervention (approximately 6 weeks), and 12-week follow-up.
Single-Leg Stance Test Performance
Static balance will be assessed on the preferred leg with arms crossed over the chest under three conditions: eyes open, eyes open with serial subtraction by threes, and eyes closed. Each trial will be limited to 45 seconds. The better result of two trials will be recorded for each condition. Performance will be expressed in seconds, with longer duration indicating better balance.
Time frame: Baseline, post-intervention (approximately 6 weeks), and 12-week follow-up.
Pain Intensity Measured by the Numerical Rating Scale
Average low back pain intensity during the previous week will be assessed using an 11-point Numerical Rating Scale (NRS), ranging from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst imaginable pain). Higher scores indicate greater pain intensity. A reduction of at least 2 points or 30% will be considered clinically important.
Time frame: Baseline, post-intervention (approximately 6 weeks), and 12-week follow-up.
Disability Measured by the Oswestry Disability Index
Low back pain-related disability will be assessed using the validated Turkish version of the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). Scores will be expressed as percentages from 0% (no disability) to 100% (maximum disability). Higher scores indicate greater disability.
Time frame: Baseline, post-intervention (approximately 6 weeks), and 12-week follow-up.
Plan to share: No — Individual participant data will not be made publicly available due to participant confidentiality and data protection considerations. Study results will be reported in aggregate form in scientific publications.
No publications or documents are linked to this record.
Start is estimated for Oct 2026; primary completion for Feb 2027, 4 months later.
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