Deep Squat, Cross-Legged Sitting and Low Back Pain

NCT ID: NCT06852677

Last Updated: 2025-09-19

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: COMPLETED
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 36 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2025-03-01
• Study Completion Date: 2025-09-15

Brief Summary

The goal of this randomized experimental study is to learn if regular deep squat or cross-legged sitting practice can improve mobility, reduce pain, and enhance visceral functions in adults with chronic low back pain (LBP). The main questions it aims to answer are:

Does practicing deep squat or cross-legged sitting increase joint mobility (hip, spine, ankle) and flexibility? Does it reduce pain levels in the lumbar spine and hip region? Does it improve visceral functions related to digestion and bowel movements? Researchers will compare a deep squat group, a cross-legged sitting group, and a control group to see if these interventions lead to significant improvements in mobility, pain reduction, and visceral function compared to no intervention.

Participants will:

Be randomly assigned to one of three groups (deep squat, cross-legged sitting, or control).

Practice their assigned position for 20 minutes per day, 6 days a week, for 6 weeks.

Undergo baseline and post-intervention assessments, including mobility tests, pain evaluation, and quality-of-life questionnaires.

Detailed Description

This randomized experimental study explores the effects of deep squat and cross-legged sitting practice on musculoskeletal mobility, pain perception, and visceral functions in adults with chronic low back pain (LBP). By examining these interventions over a six-week period, the study seeks to determine their potential role as non-pharmacological strategies for managing chronic pain and mobility limitations.

Participants will receive structured guidance to ensure proper execution of the assigned positions and adherence to the intervention protocol. Standardized assessments will be conducted before and after the intervention to evaluate changes in joint mobility, flexibility, pain levels, and quality of life.

The study is designed to contribute to evidence-based rehabilitation practices, offering insights into how simple, posture-based exercises might improve physical function and well-being. Findings may have implications for physiotherapy, rehabilitation, and self-management strategies in individuals with chronic LBP.

Conditions

Low Back Pain; Hip Pain Chronic

Study Design

• Allocation Method: RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Primary Study Purpose: PREVENTION
• Blinding Strategy: NONE

Study Groups

Deep Squat

Participants in this experimental group will perform deep squat position daily (20 minutes, 6 days per week) for 6 weeks.

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Deep Squat position

Intervention Type: OTHER

Participants assigned to the deep squat group will perform a cumulative total of 20 minutes of deep squatting per day, six days a week, for six weeks. The squatting time can be divided into multiple shorter sessions throughout the day, with a maximum interval of 48 hours between sessions. Participants will be instructed to maintain an upright posture with heels on the ground, feet shoulder-width apart, and knees aligned with toes. They will be encouraged to gradually increase their squat duration and comfort over time.

Before starting the intervention, participants will receive standardized instructions on proper squat form to ensure safety and maximize benefits. Their compliance will be monitored through a training diary in the experimental (Tulkit) app.

Cross-Legged Sitting

Participants in this experimental group will perform cross legged position daily (20 minutes, 6 days per week) for 6 weeks.

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Cross-legged Sitting

Intervention Type: OTHER

Participants assigned to the cross-legged sitting group will perform a cumulative total of 20 minutes of cross-legged sitting per day, six days a week, for six weeks. The squatting time can be divided into multiple shorter sessions throughout the day, with a maximum interval of 48 hours between sessions. Participants will be instructed to maintain an upright posture while sitting. They will be encouraged to gradually increase their cross-legged sitting duration and comfort over time.

Before starting the intervention, participants will receive standardized instructions on proper sitting form to ensure safety and maximize benefits. Their compliance will be monitored through a training diary in the experimental (Tulkit) app.

Control

Participants in this control group won't have any intervention.

Group Type: NO_INTERVENTION

No interventions assigned to this group

Interventions

Deep Squat position

Participants assigned to the deep squat group will perform a cumulative total of 20 minutes of deep squatting per day, six days a week, for six weeks. The squatting time can be divided into multiple shorter sessions throughout the day, with a maximum interval of 48 hours between sessions. Participants will be instructed to maintain an upright posture with heels on the ground, feet shoulder-width apart, and knees aligned with toes. They will be encouraged to gradually increase their squat duration and comfort over time.

Before starting the intervention, participants will receive standardized instructions on proper squat form to ensure safety and maximize benefits. Their compliance will be monitored through a training diary in the experimental (Tulkit) app.

Intervention Type: OTHER

Cross-legged Sitting

Participants assigned to the cross-legged sitting group will perform a cumulative total of 20 minutes of cross-legged sitting per day, six days a week, for six weeks. The squatting time can be divided into multiple shorter sessions throughout the day, with a maximum interval of 48 hours between sessions. Participants will be instructed to maintain an upright posture while sitting. They will be encouraged to gradually increase their cross-legged sitting duration and comfort over time.

Before starting the intervention, participants will receive standardized instructions on proper sitting form to ensure safety and maximize benefits. Their compliance will be monitored through a training diary in the experimental (Tulkit) app.

Intervention Type: OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• age 20-60 years, chronic lower back or hip pain lasting at least 3 months, presence of bowel problems at least twice a month for at least 3 months)

Exclusion Criteria

• acute health problem, pregnancy, hip or knee TEP, patellofemoral syndrome or recent lower limb surgery

• Minimum Eligible Age: 20 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 60 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Sponsors

Ladislav Batalik

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Ladislav Batalik

Principal Investigator

Responsibility Role: SPONSOR_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

Adéla Haňurová, BSc.

Role: STUDY_DIRECTOR

LF MUNI

Locations

University hospital Brno

Brno, , Czechia

Countries

Czechia

Other Identifiers

FT-2025-SQUAT-AH

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id