Investigation of the Acute Effects of Core Stabilization and 360-Degree Breathing Exercises on Balance and Proprioception in Individuals With Non-Specific Low Back Pain

NCT ID: NCT06943898

Last Updated: 2025-08-06

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: RECRUITING
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 46 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2025-07-30
• Study Completion Date: 2025-12-01

Brief Summary

This study is designed as a single-blind randomized controlled trial. Male and female patients aged 18-65 years with complaints of non-specific low back pain (NSLBP) lasting longer than 12 weeks will be included in the study. Participants will be randomly assigned into two parallel groups: control and intervention. The control group will perform core stabilization exercises five days a week for three weeks. In the intervention group, core stabilization exercises will be combined with 360-degree breathing exercises. To our knowledge, there is no randomized controlled trial investigating the effect of combining core stabilization with 360-degree breathing in individuals with NSLBP. The aim of this study is to examine the acute effects of combining 360-degree breathing techniques with core stabilization exercises on balance and proprioception in individuals with NSLBP.

Detailed Description

Low back pain is a major health problem worldwide. Non-specific low back pain (NSLBP) is the most common form of back pain. The lifetime prevalence of back pain can reach up to 84%. Various non-pharmacological and non-invasive methods are used for back pain management. One such method is core stabilization exercises. Core stabilization exercises enhance trunk stability by activating the muscles around the spine and have the potential to improve balance in individuals with NSLBP. This may help overcome balance disorders associated with pain and contribute to safer movements in daily life activities. Breathing exercises, by activating the diaphragm muscle, support spinal stability and provide benefits in pain management. It is known that breathing supports trunk stability through its relationship with core muscles and strengthens balance mechanisms. Studies in this field show that stabilization exercises can provide short-term improvements, especially in balance. However, the combined effects of core stabilization and breathing exercises in individuals with NSLBP have not been fully investigated. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the acute effects of combining 360-degree breathing exercises with core stabilization exercises on balance and proprioception in individuals with NSLBP.

Conditions

Low Back Pain (LBP); Exercise; Core Stability

Study Design

• Allocation Method: RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Primary Study Purpose: TREATMENT
• Blinding Strategy: SINGLE

Study Groups

Control Group (Core Exercises)

Core Exercises Group

Group Type: OTHER

Core Egzercise

Intervention Type: OTHER

The core exercise group will perform core stabilization exercises for a total of 15 sessions, five days a week for three weeks. Exercises will include pelvic tilt, bridge, dead bug, bird dog, mini squats on a balance board, and wall planks. The number of repetitions will be increased from 10 to 20, and plank duration will be increased from 30 seconds to 45 seconds. A 5-minute warm-up and cool-down session will be included.

Intervention Group (Core Exercises + Breathing Exercises):

Core Exercises + Breathing Exercises

Group Type: OTHER

Core Exercises + Breathing Exercises

Intervention Type: OTHER

This group will perform core stabilization exercises combined with the 360-degree breathing technique, for a total of 15 sessions over three weeks (five days a week).

"360-degree breathing" is a novel breathing method targeting deep and controlled inhalations into various regions of the body. Unlike traditional breathing exercises, 360-degree breathing ensures that all directions of the lungs are equally ventilated.

Interventions

Core Egzercise

The core exercise group will perform core stabilization exercises for a total of 15 sessions, five days a week for three weeks. Exercises will include pelvic tilt, bridge, dead bug, bird dog, mini squats on a balance board, and wall planks. The number of repetitions will be increased from 10 to 20, and plank duration will be increased from 30 seconds to 45 seconds. A 5-minute warm-up and cool-down session will be included.

Intervention Type: OTHER

Core Exercises + Breathing Exercises

This group will perform core stabilization exercises combined with the 360-degree breathing technique, for a total of 15 sessions over three weeks (five days a week).

"360-degree breathing" is a novel breathing method targeting deep and controlled inhalations into various regions of the body. Unlike traditional breathing exercises, 360-degree breathing ensures that all directions of the lungs are equally ventilated.

Intervention Type: OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• Low back pain persisting for at least 3 months
• No neurological, rheumatological, or musculoskeletal system problems

Exclusion Criteria

• Individuals with neurological, vestibular, or serious orthopedic conditions that may cause physical disability
• Patients with back-leg or dorsolumbar pain due to lumbar disc protrusion or fracture
• Cancer patients
• Individuals with acute infections
• Individuals with respiratory system diseases
• Individuals with any mental disorder that would prevent participation in the study assessment
• Pregnant individuals

• Minimum Eligible Age: 18 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 65 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Sponsors

Cumhuriyet University

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Selvin BALKİ

associate professor

Responsibility Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

Balki, PhD

Role: STUDY_DIRECTOR

Sivas Cumhuriyet University Faculty of Health Sciences Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation

Locations

Sivas Cumhuriyet University Faculty of Health Sciences Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation

Sivas, Merkez, Turkey (Türkiye)

Site Status: RECRUITING

Countries

Turkey (Türkiye)

Central Contacts

Study Coordinator, PhD

Role: CONTACT

sbalki@cumhuriyet.edu.tr

+905065945067

Facility Contacts

Selvin Balki

Role: primary

sbalki@cumhuriyet.edu.tr

+905065945067

Other Identifiers

SCU-FTR-SB-01

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id