Low Back PainNCT07297680
Workplace Exercises Versus Home-based Exercises on Pain and Function Among Office Workers With Non-specific Low Back Pain
A study testing Workplace exercise intervention, Home-based exercise intervention and general education and counseling in people with Low Back Pain and Pain, run by Cairo University at 1 site in Egypt.
Trial summary
The study was done to investigate the differences between workplace exercises and home-based exercises on pain, function, quality of life, and posture (pelvic inclination angle and lumbar lordotic angle) among office workers with non-specific low back pain Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 25 to 40 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Low Back Pain, Pain, Function
- What is being tested?
- Workplace exercise intervention, Home-based exercise intervention and general education and counseling
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 57 participants
- Where
- 1 siteEgypt
- Study dates
- 1 Jun 2025to 1 Oct 2025
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 25 to 40 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- Forty-eight patients with non-specific low back pain of both genders; their ages will range from 25 to 40 years old.
- Three years of experience at least
- Eight to ten hours of daily work, at least.
- Work for 5 days per week.
- Reported pain intensity from 3 to 7 on a visual analogue scale.
- Office Workers with body mass index (25 - 29.9 kg/m².
- Low physical activity levels according to the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (short form).
Who cannot join
- Spine pathology.
- Back surgical operations.
- Congenital anomalies.
- Cardiopulmonary and neurological diseases
- Pregnancy.
- Postural deformities.
- Inflammatory diseases.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
Egypt1 site
out-patient clinic, faculty of physical therapy, Cairo university
Cairo
About this study
The study was done to investigate the differences between workplace exercises and home-based exercises on pain, function, quality of life, and posture (pelvic inclination angle and lumbar lordotic angle) among office workers with non-specific low back pain
Read the detailed description
Low back pain is the most common musculoskeletal disorder among office workers and a leading cause of disability, affecting psychological well-being and quality of life. Approximately 85% to 95% of cases are categorized as non-specific, with chronic low back pain presenting when symptoms last over 12 weeks. Office workers, who often engage in sedentary tasks, face increased risks of low back pain linked to factors such as physical attributes and psychological stressors like mental fatigue and anxiety. It is suggested that people with low back pain exercise, but there is still debate about whether exercise at work is better than exercise at home. This gap in understanding drives the need for a randomized controlled trial to assess the impact of both interventions on pain, function, quality of life, and posture in office workers with non-specific low back pain
- Conditions
- Low Back Pain, Pain, Function, Office Worker, Workplace Exercise, Home Bases Exercise
- Being tested
- Workplace exercise intervention, Home-based exercise intervention, general education and counseling
- Medical subject headings
- Low Back Pain, Pain
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Workplace exercise interventionOther
The program's basic exercise equipment includes a stable chair (no wheels or armrests) that provides better lumbar spine support, adjustable for participant height to ensure flat feet on the floor with a 90° knee angle. Additional portable equipment consists of a rhythmic gymnastics ball (16.5 cm diameter, 320 g weight), silicone hand therapy balls (5.6 cm length, 4.2 cm width, medium resistance), and an exercise band (1.5 m long, available in medium/light and heavy resistance).
Home-based exercise interventionOther
An elastic exercise band will be used. an exercise band (1.5 m long, available in medium/light and heavy resistance).
general education and counselingOther
Will receive general education and counseling regarding pain and function. They will be advised to avoid prolonged sitting. Get up and move around every 20-30 minutes. In addition, to practice good posture while sitting, standing, and walking. When sitting, keep your feet flat on the floor, knees bent at a 90-degree angle, and your back straight with good lumbar support. Furthermore, to avoid slouching or hunching over their desk
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| workplace exercise | Experimental | Consists of 20 office workers with non-specific low back pain who will receive workplace exercise intervention, 5 times per week for 4 weeks Receives: Other: Workplace exercise intervention |
| home program exercises | Active comparator | Home program exercises will be provided three times a week for four weeks, comprising three sets of ten repetitions each. Exercises will target the back, shoulders, and arms using elastic tubing, including reverse flys, shoulder raises, shoulder squeezes, shoulder rotations, wrist extensions, wood choppers, pelvic tilt, quadruped leg/arm raises, side planks, and lean and turns. Receives: Other: Home-based exercise intervention |
| general education and counseling | Active comparator | Individuals will receive education and counseling on managing pain and function. They should avoid prolonged sitting, moving every 20-30 minutes, and practicing good posture while seated, standing, and walking. Key sitting posture includes keeping feet flat, knees at a 90-degree angle, and maintaining a straight back with proper lumbar support to prevent slouching. Receives: Other: general education and counseling |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
assessment of pain intensity
The researcher will ask the patient to express how potent he/she feels current pain or the last 24 hours' pain by choosing a point on a 100 mm line drawn between two ends one end refers to the absence of pain and the other refers to the worst intense pain
Measured: at baseline and after 4 weeks
Secondary outcomes (5)
assessment of activity of daily living
The Arabic version of the Modified Oswestry Disability Index is a self-administered questionnaire consisting of ten sections, each with six items that evaluate the limitations in daily living activities. Scores range from 0 to 5, with higher scores indicating greater disability. The final index score is calculated by summing the scores, adjusting for unanswered questions, and expressing it as a percentage. Completion takes approximately 3.5 to 5 minutes, with scoring taking about 1 minute. Scores categorize disability levels: 0%-20% (minimal), 20%-40% (moderate), 40%-60% (severe), 60%-80% (crippled), and 80%-100% (bedbound or exaggerating).
Measured: at baseline and after 4 weeks
assessment of functional health and well-being
The Arabic Version of the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey is a generic tool to measure Quality of Life (QoL) through 36 questions, yielding an 8-scale profile of functional health: Physical Functioning, role limitations due to Physical Problems, Bodily Pain, General Health, Vitality, Social Functioning, role limitations due to emotional problems, and Mental Health. It includes a single-item scale on health transition. The first four subscales form the Physical Composite Scale, and the last four form the Mental Composite Scale, with scores ranging from 0 to 100; higher scores indicate better health and functional status.
Measured: at baseline and after 4 weeks
assessment of pelvic tilting
The Palpation Meter procedure involves subjects standing with feet shoulder-width apart and focusing on a fixed point to minimize posture sway. With arms crossed, an examiner palpates the anterior and posterior superior iliac spines. The caliper tips of the Palpation Meter device are then positioned on these landmarks to measure pelvic inclination, with the procedure repeated three times to calculate an average for statistical analysis.
Measured: at baseline and after 4 weeks
assessment of lumbar lordotic angle
using Baseline Inclinometer. Participants will stand comfortably with arms at their sides while the T12 and S1 spinous processes are marked. The iliac crest serves as a baseline for L4-L5 identification. The investigator will palpate from L4-L5 to S1 and locate T12 using the 12th rib. A bubble inclinometer, zeroed against a bubble level, will be used to measure lumbar lordosis at T12-L1 and S1-S2, with angles recorded and summed.
Measured: at baseline and after 4 weeks
assessment of physical Activity
The Arabic Version of The International Physical Activity Questionnaire (Short-Form) aims to assess physical activity by querying workers about their engagement in various activities over the past week. Respondents will provide details on the type, frequency (in days per week), and duration (in hours and minutes per day) of these activities. The questionnaire evaluates physical activities based on their intensity, classifying them as vigorous (like aerobic walking, running, and jogging), moderate (such as brisk walking, regular home workouts, and leisure swimming), and normal walking, which contributes to the comprehensive assessment of physical activity levels.
Measured: at baseline and after 4 weeks
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted22 Dec 2025
- Study start1 Jun 2025
- Primary completion1 Sep 2025
- Study completion1 Oct 2025
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Low Back PainStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Cairo UniversityThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Participant
- Enrolment
- 57 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Cairo University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Heba Allah Ahmed Gaber Abd El Tawab, Cairo University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07297680
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- Heba-Msc
- Status last verified
- Dec 2025
- First submitted
- 9 Dec 2025
- Last updated
- 22 Dec 2025
- Results posted
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 22 Dec 2025. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Workplace Exercises Versus Home-based Exercises on Pain and Function Among Office Workers With Non-specific Low Back Pain
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07297680
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- Heba-Msc
- Conditions
- Low Back Pain, Pain, Function, Office Worker, Workplace Exercise, Home Bases Exercise
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 57 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Cairo UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 1 Jun 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 1 Sep 2025 (actual)
- Study completion
- 1 Oct 2025 (actual)
- First posted
- 22 Dec 2025 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
The study was done to investigate the differences between workplace exercises and home-based exercises on pain, function, quality of life, and posture (pelvic inclination angle and lumbar lordotic angle) among office workers with non-specific low back pain
Detailed description
Low back pain is the most common musculoskeletal disorder among office workers and a leading cause of disability, affecting psychological well-being and quality of life. Approximately 85% to 95% of cases are categorized as non-specific, with chronic low back pain presenting when symptoms last over 12 weeks. Office workers, who often engage in sedentary tasks, face increased risks of low back pain linked to factors such as physical attributes and psychological stressors like mental fatigue and anxiety. It is suggested that people with low back pain exercise, but there is still debate about whether exercise at work is better than exercise at home. This gap in understanding drives the need for a randomized controlled trial to assess the impact of both interventions on pain, function, quality of life, and posture in office workers with non-specific low back pain
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (participant)
- Number of arms
- 3
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| workplace exercise | Experimental | Other: Workplace exercise interventionConsists of 20 office workers with non-specific low back pain who will receive workplace exercise intervention, 5 times per week for 4 weeks |
| home program exercises | Active comparator | Other: Home-based exercise interventionHome program exercises will be provided three times a week for four weeks, comprising three sets of ten repetitions each. Exercises will target the back, shoulders, and arms using elastic tubing, including reverse flys, shoulder raises, shoulder squeezes, shoulder rotations, wrist extensions, wood choppers, pelvic tilt, quadruped leg/arm raises, side planks, and lean and turns. |
| general education and counseling | Active comparator | Other: general education and counselingIndividuals will receive education and counseling on managing pain and function. They should avoid prolonged sitting, moving every 20-30 minutes, and practicing good posture while seated, standing, and walking. Key sitting posture includes keeping feet flat, knees at a 90-degree angle, and maintaining a straight back with proper lumbar support to prevent slouching. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 25 to 40 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (7 listed)
- Forty-eight patients with non-specific low back pain of both genders; their ages will range from 25 to 40 years old.
- Three years of experience at least
- Eight to ten hours of daily work, at least.
- Work for 5 days per week.
- Reported pain intensity from 3 to 7 on a visual analogue scale.
Key exclusion criteria (7 listed)
- Spine pathology.
- Back surgical operations.
- Congenital anomalies.
- Cardiopulmonary and neurological diseases
- Pregnancy.
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Workplace exercise interventionThe program's basic exercise equipment includes a stable chair (no wheels or armrests) that provides better lumbar spine support, adjustable for participant height to ensure flat feet on the floor with a 90° knee angle. Additional portable equipment consists of a rhythmic gymnastics ball (16.5 cm diameter, 320 g weight), silicone hand therapy balls (5.6 cm length, 4.2 cm width, medium resistance), and an exercise band (1.5 m long, available in medium/light and heavy resistance). | Other | workplace exercise |
| Home-based exercise interventionAn elastic exercise band will be used. an exercise band (1.5 m long, available in medium/light and heavy resistance). | Other | home program exercises |
| general education and counselingWill receive general education and counseling regarding pain and function. They will be advised to avoid prolonged sitting. Get up and move around every 20-30 minutes. In addition, to practice good posture while sitting, standing, and walking. When sitting, keep your feet flat on the floor, knees bent at a 90-degree angle, and your back straight with good lumbar support. Furthermore, to avoid slouching or hunching over their desk | Other | general education and counseling |
Primary outcome
assessment of pain intensity
Time frame: at baseline and after 4 weeks
The researcher will ask the patient to express how potent he/she feels current pain or the last 24 hours' pain by choosing a point on a 100 mm line drawn between two ends one end refers to the absence of pain and the other refers to the worst intense pain
5 secondary outcomes
assessment of activity of daily living
Time frame: at baseline and after 4 weeks
assessment of functional health and well-being
Time frame: at baseline and after 4 weeks
assessment of pelvic tilting
Time frame: at baseline and after 4 weeks
assessment of lumbar lordotic angle
Time frame: at baseline and after 4 weeks
assessment of physical Activity
Time frame: at baseline and after 4 weeks
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 22 Dec 2025.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Workplace exercise intervention, Home-based exercise intervention and general education and counseling in people with Low Back Pain and Pain, run by Cairo University at 1 site in Egypt.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 7 inclusion and 7 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 22 Dec 2025. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Egypt. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
assessment of pain intensity (time frame: at baseline and after 4 weeks). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 22 Dec 2025.