Psoas Muscle Release in Non-specific Mechanical Low Back Pain

NCT ID: NCT06994364

Last Updated: 2025-09-16

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

Get a concise snapshot of the trial, including recruitment status, study phase, enrollment targets, and key timeline milestones.

Recruitment Status

NOT_YET_RECRUITING

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

40 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2026-04-30

Study Completion Date

2026-09-30

Brief Summary

Review the sponsor-provided synopsis that highlights what the study is about and why it is being conducted.

Nonspecific low back pain affects approximately 80% of the population at some point in their lives.

The psoas muscle-positioned between the lumbar and pelvic regions-together with the paravertebral muscles, constitutes the primary muscular group responsible for dynamic stabilization of the spine. Alterations in this muscle may contribute to the onset of low back pain by modifying spinal biomechanics, particularly through increased lumbar lordosis and greater mechanical overload in the lumbar region.

Latent myofascial trigger points are asymptomatic but can lead to muscle shortening and weakness. They are characterized by local tenderness and may provoke a localized muscular response known as a local twitch response.

The aim of this randomized experimental study was to evaluate the immediate effect of ischemic compression applied to the trigger point of the psoas muscle on pain perception and lumbar range of motion.

Researchers will compare a group with a placebo technique to see if the release of the psoas muscle produces effects in this condition.

The variables analyzed in this study included low back pain, assessed using the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS); lateral lumbar flexion (right and left), measured using a tape measure (distance from the third finger to the floor); and lumbar flexion range of motion, assessed using the Schober test.

Detailed Description

Dive into the extended narrative that explains the scientific background, objectives, and procedures in greater depth.

The present study will be a randomized, double-blind clinical trial designed to analyze the immediate effect of trigger point release of the psoas muscle on pain and lumbar spine range of motion in young adults with nonspecific mechanical low back pain.

The research will involve a sample composed of individuals aged between 18 and 30 years, who will have experienced low back pain within one month prior to participation and will present a latent trigger point in the psoas muscle.

Participants will be randomly assigned to two groups: the experimental group, which will undergo the ischemic compression technique on the psoas muscle; and the control group, which will receive a simulated technique involving listening to the mobility and motility of the small intestine. Assessments will be conducted before and after the intervention using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), measurement of lumbar lateral flexion with a measuring tape, and the modified Schober test for trunk forward flexion.

This study will aim to address the existing gap in the literature regarding the effectiveness of specific osteopathic techniques applied to the psoas muscle in relieving low back pain and improving mobility and range of motion. The methodological rigor, randomization, and double-blind design will contribute to ensuring the reliability of the collected data and the validity of the results obtained.

Conditions

See the medical conditions and disease areas that this research is targeting or investigating.

Low Back Pain

Study Design

Understand how the trial is structured, including allocation methods, masking strategies, primary purpose, and other design elements.

Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Primary Study Purpose

TREATMENT

Blinding Strategy

DOUBLE

Participants Outcome Assessors

Study Groups

Review each arm or cohort in the study, along with the interventions and objectives associated with them.

Control group

In the control group, the simulation of the technique for listening to the mobility and motility of the small intestine was performed by placing one hand on the abdomen, without pressure.

Group Type PLACEBO_COMPARATOR

Simulation of the intestinal listening technique.

Intervention Type OTHER

The patient will be asked to lie in a supine position on the treatment table to simulate the listening technique for assessing the mobility and motility of the small intestine without influencing the final results, with the sensory hand placed below the umbilicus.

Experimental group

In the experimental group, the trigger point release technique for the psoas muscle was performed.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Trigger point release

Intervention Type OTHER

Ischemic compression technique is based on the application of manual pressure to treat trigger points.

The patient was asked to lie in the supine position on the examination table. The osteopath identified the muscle through deep palpation and movement-based muscle differentiation, then applied 90 seconds of tolerable pressure to the trigger point on both sides.

Interventions

Learn about the drugs, procedures, or behavioral strategies being tested and how they are applied within this trial.

Trigger point release

Ischemic compression technique is based on the application of manual pressure to treat trigger points.

The patient was asked to lie in the supine position on the examination table. The osteopath identified the muscle through deep palpation and movement-based muscle differentiation, then applied 90 seconds of tolerable pressure to the trigger point on both sides.

Intervention Type OTHER

Simulation of the intestinal listening technique.

The patient will be asked to lie in a supine position on the treatment table to simulate the listening technique for assessing the mobility and motility of the small intestine without influencing the final results, with the sensory hand placed below the umbilicus.

Intervention Type OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

Check the participation requirements, including inclusion and exclusion rules, age limits, and whether healthy volunteers are accepted.

Inclusion Criteria

* Age between 18 and 30 years.
* Presence of low back pain for less than 1 month.
* Presence of a latent trigger point in the psoas muscle.

Exclusion Criteria

* Volunteers with low back pain caused by: Disc herniation, Tumor, Infection, Fracture, Osteoporosis, Structural deformity or Inflammation.
* Individuals with a history of spinal surgery.
* Continuous use of analgesics.
* Participants who had undergone manual therapy in the previous month.
* Pregnant individuals.
* Obese individuals.
* Students of Osteopathy (from the 2nd, 3rd, or 4th year) and professionals in the manual therapy field.
* Participants presenting red flags for osteopathic intervention.
* Individuals with cognitive impairments that hindered their ability to understand the study/project.
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

30 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

Meet the organizations funding or collaborating on the study and learn about their roles.

Escola Superior de Tecnologia da Saúde do Porto

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

Identify the individual or organization who holds primary responsibility for the study information submitted to regulators.

Natália Maria Oliveira Campelo

Doctor teacher

Responsibility Role PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Central Contacts

Reach out to these primary contacts for questions about participation or study logistics.

Natália MO Campelo, PhD

Role: CONTACT

+351 222 061 000

References

Explore related publications, articles, or registry entries linked to this study.

Furtado RN, Ribeiro LH, Abdo Bde A, Descio FJ, Martucci CE Jr, Serruya DC. [Nonspecific low back pain in young adults: associated risk factors]. Rev Bras Reumatol. 2014 Sep-Oct;54(5):371-7. doi: 10.1016/j.rbr.2014.03.018. Epub 2014 Jul 6. Portuguese.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 25627301 (View on PubMed)

Chiarotto A, Maxwell LJ, Ostelo RW, Boers M, Tugwell P, Terwee CB. Measurement Properties of Visual Analogue Scale, Numeric Rating Scale, and Pain Severity Subscale of the Brief Pain Inventory in Patients With Low Back Pain: A Systematic Review. J Pain. 2019 Mar;20(3):245-263. doi: 10.1016/j.jpain.2018.07.009. Epub 2018 Aug 10.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 30099210 (View on PubMed)

Balague F, Mannion AF, Pellise F, Cedraschi C. Non-specific low back pain. Lancet. 2012 Feb 4;379(9814):482-91. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(11)60610-7. Epub 2011 Oct 6.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 21982256 (View on PubMed)

Seyedhoseinpoor T, Sanjari MA, Taghipour M, Dadgoo M, Mousavi SJ. Spinopelvic malalignment correlates to lumbar instability and lumbar musculature in chronic low back pain-an exploratory study. Sci Rep. 2024 Dec 30;14(1):31974. doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-83570-6.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 39738674 (View on PubMed)

Celik D, Mutlu EK. Clinical implication of latent myofascial trigger point. Curr Pain Headache Rep. 2013 Aug;17(8):353. doi: 10.1007/s11916-013-0353-8.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 23801006 (View on PubMed)

Xu A, Huang Q, Rong J, Wu X, Deng M, Ji L. Effectiveness of ischemic compression on myofascial trigger points in relieving neck pain: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Back Musculoskelet Rehabil. 2023;36(4):783-798. doi: 10.3233/BMR-220045.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 36872769 (View on PubMed)

Siglan U, Colak S. Effects of diaphragmatic and iliopsoas myofascial release in patients with chronic low back pain: A randomized controlled study. J Bodyw Mov Ther. 2023 Jan;33:120-127. doi: 10.1016/j.jbmt.2022.09.029. Epub 2022 Sep 29.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 36775506 (View on PubMed)

Desai R, Rathi M, Palekar TJ. Effects of Movement Retraining and Lumbar Stabilization Exercises in Mechanical Low Back Pain: A Pilot Study. Cureus. 2024 Feb 16;16(2):e54291. doi: 10.7759/cureus.54291. eCollection 2024 Feb.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 38496129 (View on PubMed)

Perret C, Poiraudeau S, Fermanian J, Colau MM, Benhamou MA, Revel M. Validity, reliability, and responsiveness of the fingertip-to-floor test. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2001 Nov;82(11):1566-70. doi: 10.1053/apmr.2001.26064.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 11689977 (View on PubMed)

Liu Y, Palmer JL. Iliacus tender points in young adults: a pilot study. J Am Osteopath Assoc. 2012 May;112(5):285-9.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 22582198 (View on PubMed)

Takamoto K, Bito I, Urakawa S, Sakai S, Kigawa M, Ono T, Nishijo H. Effects of compression at myofascial trigger points in patients with acute low back pain: A randomized controlled trial. Eur J Pain. 2015 Sep;19(8):1186-96. doi: 10.1002/ejp.694. Epub 2015 Mar 24.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 25808188 (View on PubMed)

Fernandes WVB, Blanco CR, Politti F, de Cordoba Lanza F, Lucareli PRG, Correa JCF. The effect of a six-week osteopathic visceral manipulation in patients with non-specific chronic low back pain and functional constipation: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. Trials. 2018 Mar 2;19(1):151. doi: 10.1186/s13063-018-2532-8.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 29499728 (View on PubMed)

Other Identifiers

Review additional registry numbers or institutional identifiers associated with this trial.

OST1- 017

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

More Related Trials

Additional clinical trials that may be relevant based on similarity analysis.

Postural Re-education in Low Back Pain
NCT00789204 COMPLETED PHASE1