Comparison Of The Effectiveness Of Elastic Resistance Versus Free Weight Training Of Gluteus Medius In Improving Pain, Strength, And Overall Gait Speed In Patients With Chronic Non-Specific Low Back Pain

NCT ID: NCT06976242

Last Updated: 2025-09-03

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

COMPLETED

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

36 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2025-04-01

Study Completion Date

2025-08-15

Brief Summary

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This randomized controlled trial aims to compare the effectiveness of elastic resistance training and free weight training in strengthening the gluteus medius muscle among patients with chronic non-specific low back pain. Weakness in the gluteus medius can contribute to pelvic instability and altered gait patterns, which may exacerbate low back pain. While both elastic resistance and free weight exercises are commonly used in rehabilitation, there is limited evidence comparing their relative benefits in this population. This study evaluates improvements in pain, muscle strength, and overall gait speed following each intervention. The findings will help guide clinicians in choosing the most effective and accessible strengthening method for patients with chronic non-specific low back pain.

Detailed Description

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The gluteus medius plays a vital role in pelvic stabilization and maintaining proper gait mechanics. Dysfunction or weakness in this muscle is frequently associated with chronic non-specific low back pain, a condition affecting a significant proportion of the population. Rehabilitation strategies that target the gluteus medius are crucial for restoring lumbar-pelvic stability, optimizing functional movement, and reducing pain.

Free weight training, using equipment like dumbbells and barbells, is a traditional method to enhance muscle strength and improve neuromuscular coordination. However, it often requires proper supervision to avoid injury due to the need for controlled movements and joint stability. On the other hand, elastic resistance training, which employs tools like resistance bands or tubes, offers a safer, cost-effective, and portable alternative. It allows progressive resistance throughout the range of motion, matching the user's strength curve and facilitating home-based exercise programs.

This randomized controlled trial is designed to compare these two training modalities, which are elastic resistance versus free weights in terms of their effectiveness at improving gluteus medius strength, reducing low back pain, and enhancing gait speed in patients with chronic non-specific low back pain. The trial includes baseline and post-intervention assessments using validated clinical tools for measuring pain, strength, and gait speed.

The goal is to determine which intervention yields greater clinical benefit and offers a more practical approach for implementation in therapeutic settings, especially for populations with limited access to conventional gym equipment. The findings could contribute valuable evidence to inform clinical decision-making in physical therapy and rehabilitation.

Conditions

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Low Back Pain

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Participants will be randomly assigned to either an elastic resistance training group or a free weight training group to compare outcomes related to pain, strength, and gait speed.
Primary Study Purpose

TREATMENT

Blinding Strategy

DOUBLE

Participants Outcome Assessors
Participants and assessors performing pre- and post-intervention evaluations will be blinded to group allocation to reduce bias.

Study Groups

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Elastic Resistance Training with Conventional Training

The participants in this group will receive elastic resistance training with conventional training. The intervention would be given 5 times per week on alternate days for 4 weeks. Each exercise session will be given in 2sets of 8 repetitions each set.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Elastic Resistance Training

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

The type of resistance exercises in which the participants use the Thera Band of yellow and red colours (weight about 2-2.5 kg with full elongation) for resistance training

Conventional Training

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

The conventional training includes side-lying hip abductions, standing weighted abductions, and lateral step-ups exercises.

Free Weight Training along with Conventional Training

The participants in this group will receive free weight training along with conventional training. The intervention frequency will be the same as group A (5 times/week for 4 weeks). Each exercise session will be given in 2 sets of 8 repetitions each set.

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Free Weight Exercises

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

The type of resistance exercises in which the participants use weight cuffs (weight 2-2.5 kg) tied to their lower leg for resistance training

Conventional Training

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

The conventional training includes side-lying hip abductions, standing weighted abductions, and lateral step-ups exercises.

Interventions

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Elastic Resistance Training

The type of resistance exercises in which the participants use the Thera Band of yellow and red colours (weight about 2-2.5 kg with full elongation) for resistance training

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Free Weight Exercises

The type of resistance exercises in which the participants use weight cuffs (weight 2-2.5 kg) tied to their lower leg for resistance training

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Conventional Training

The conventional training includes side-lying hip abductions, standing weighted abductions, and lateral step-ups exercises.

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Other Intervention Names

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Resistance Band Training, Theraband Exercise

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

1. Age 30-60 years
2. Both males and females of any race and ethnicity
3. Musculoskeletal condition that affects the gluteus Medius of hip
4. MMT for gluteus medius is 3 or less than 3
5. chronic stage of nonspecific low back pain
6. Cognitively intact (mini mental scale) and able to walk 10 meters with or without support.
7. Volunteer participations.

Exclusion Criteria

1. Post-surgical conditions like TKR, THR.
2. Any contraindication to exercise.
3. Female individuals who have muscular weakness due to pregnancy
4. Any neurological conditions (myopathies, neuropathies) causing muscular weakness
5. Chronic low back pain in which Gluteus Medius weakness is not measurable.
Minimum Eligible Age

30 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

60 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

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Khyber Medical University Peshawar

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Responsibility Role SPONSOR

Principal Investigators

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Gulab Noor, MSPT

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Institute of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Khyber Medical University Peshawar

Dr Hazrat Bilal, PhD*

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Institute of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Khyber Medical University Peshawar

Locations

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Rehman Medical Institute

Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

Site Status

Countries

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Pakistan

References

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Ventura JD, Klute GK, Neptune RR. Individual muscle contributions to circular turning mechanics. J Biomech. 2015 Apr 13;48(6):1067-74. doi: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2015.01.026. Epub 2015 Feb 2.

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PMID: 25700608 (View on PubMed)

Kasitinon D, Li WX, Wang EXS, Fredericson M. Physical Examination and Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome: an Updated Review. Curr Rev Musculoskelet Med. 2021 Dec;14(6):406-412. doi: 10.1007/s12178-021-09730-7. Epub 2021 Oct 29.

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Bauer CM, Rast FM, Ernst MJ, Meichtry A, Kool J, Rissanen SM, Suni JH, Kankaanpaa M. The effect of muscle fatigue and low back pain on lumbar movement variability and complexity. J Electromyogr Kinesiol. 2017 Apr;33:94-102. doi: 10.1016/j.jelekin.2017.02.003. Epub 2017 Feb 13.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 28226298 (View on PubMed)

Lanza MB, Rock K, Marchese V, Addison O, Gray VL. Hip Abductor and Adductor Rate of Torque Development and Muscle Activation, but Not Muscle Size, Are Associated With Functional Performance. Front Physiol. 2021 Oct 14;12:744153. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2021.744153. eCollection 2021.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 34721067 (View on PubMed)

Sheahan PJ, Diesbourg TL, Fischer SL. The effect of rest break schedule on acute low back pain development in pain and non-pain developers during seated work. Appl Ergon. 2016 Mar;53 Pt A:64-70. doi: 10.1016/j.apergo.2015.08.013. Epub 2015 Sep 10.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 26674405 (View on PubMed)

Khayambashi K, Ghoddosi N, Straub RK, Powers CM. Hip Muscle Strength Predicts Noncontact Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury in Male and Female Athletes: A Prospective Study. Am J Sports Med. 2016 Feb;44(2):355-61. doi: 10.1177/0363546515616237. Epub 2015 Dec 8.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 26646514 (View on PubMed)

Butowicz CM, Ebaugh DD, Noehren B, Silfies SP. VALIDATION OF TWO CLINICAL MEASURES OF CORE STABILITY. Int J Sports Phys Ther. 2016 Feb;11(1):15-23.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 26900496 (View on PubMed)

Qiu J, Zhou T, Jin H, Pan Y, Qian T, Xue C, Xia W, Shi H, An B. Effect of adding hip exercises to general rehabilitation treatment of knee osteoarthritis on patients' physical functions: a randomized clinical trial. BMC Sports Sci Med Rehabil. 2023 Nov 23;15(1):158. doi: 10.1186/s13102-023-00772-7.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 37996958 (View on PubMed)

Lorenzetti S, Ostermann M, Zeidler F, Zimmer P, Jentsch L, List R, Taylor WR, Schellenberg F. How to squat? Effects of various stance widths, foot placement angles and level of experience on knee, hip and trunk motion and loading. BMC Sports Sci Med Rehabil. 2018 Jul 17;10:14. doi: 10.1186/s13102-018-0103-7. eCollection 2018.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 30026952 (View on PubMed)

Psilander N, Eftestol E, Cumming KT, Juvkam I, Ekblom MM, Sunding K, Wernbom M, Holmberg HC, Ekblom B, Bruusgaard JC, Raastad T, Gundersen K. Effects of training, detraining, and retraining on strength, hypertrophy, and myonuclear number in human skeletal muscle. J Appl Physiol (1985). 2019 Jun 1;126(6):1636-1645. doi: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00917.2018. Epub 2019 Apr 11.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 30991013 (View on PubMed)

Other Identifiers

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KMU/DIR/CTU/2025/001

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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