Effects of Thoracolumbar Fascia Myofascial Release in Chronic Low Back Pain
Not yet recruitingNot applicableNCT07667062
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This study has no listed site in Canada in this snapshot. It is included as part of the worldwide chronic pain corpus.
Brief summary (from the registry)
The thoracolumbar fascia (TLF) is thickened and stiffer in individuals with chronic non-specific low back pain (CNSLBP) and may contribute to pain persistence. Myofascial release (MFR) has been shown to reduce TLF stiffness acutely; however, its longer-term effects on fascial morphology and pain self-efficacy remain unclear. This randomized controlled trial will investigate the effects of a standardized 6-week MFR program targeting the thoracolumbar fascia compared with sham MFR in adults with CNSLBP. A total of 65 participants aged 18-60 years with CNSLBP will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio to either standardized MFR or sham MFR. The intervention will consist of 18 treatment sessions delivered over 6 weeks. Primary outcomes include thoracolumbar fascia thickness measured by B-mode ultrasound, thoracolumbar fascia stiffness measured by shear-wave elastography, and pain self-efficacy measured using the Pain Self-Efficacy Questionnaire (PSEQ). Secondary outcomes include pain intensity, functional disability, lumbar flexion range of motion, and patient global impression of change. Outcomes will be assessed at baseline and after completion of the 6-week intervention period.
Study details
- Official title
- Effects of Myofascial Release Targeting the Thoracolumbar Fascia on Fascial Morphology, Functional Outcomes, and Pain Self-Efficacy in Adults With Chronic Non-Specific Low Back Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial
- Conditions
- Interventions
- Behavioral: Myofascial Release of Thoracolumbar Fascia
- Other: Sham Myofascial Release
- Sponsor
- University of Health Sciences Lahore
- Start date
- 2026-06-20
- Primary completion
- 2026-08
- Sex
- All
- Age range
- from 18 Years to 60 Years
- Results posted
- No results posted in this snapshot
- Countries
- Pakistan
- Total sites listed
- 1
Eligibility criteria
Show eligibility criteria (verbatim from the registry)
Inclusion Criteria: * Adults aged 18-60 years * Non-specific low back pain duration \> 12 weeks * Average pain intensity NRS ≥ 3 over the past week * Able to provide written informed consent * Able to attend 18 supervised sessions over 6 weeks (3 sessions/week) Exclusion Criteria: * Specific spinal pathology (fracture, disc herniation with neurological deficit, spinal stenosis, inflammatory arthropathy, malignancy) * Previous lumbar surgery * Current pregnancy * Severe psychiatric disorder or active psychosis * Manual therapy or physiotherapy for LBP within the previous 3 months * Systemic connective tissue disorder (e.g., Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, Marfan syndrome) * Contraindication to ultrasound imaging or manual therapy.
Source: ClinicalTrials.gov (US National Library of Medicine), snapshot October 2026. Check the registry for current recruiting status. Record: https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07667062