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Non Specific Chronic Low Back PainGT & DFNCT07836439

Comparing Graston Technique and Diacutaneous Fibrolysis for Pain, Disability, and Quality of Life in Patients With Non-Specific Low Back Pain

A study testing Graston Technique and Diacutaneous Fibrolysis in people with Non Specific Chronic Low Back Pain, run by University of Management and Technology Sialkot Pakistan at 1 site in Pakistan.

Enrolling by invitation

Enrolling by invitation. The study team selects and invites participants, usually from an existing group of patients.

Sites and contacts
Official record
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Trial summary

This randomized clinical trial compared Graston Technique (GT) and Diacutaneous Fibrolysis (DF) in 30 patients with non-specific low back pain. Both treatments significantly reduced pain and disability and improved lumbar mobility. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 20 to 40 years
Conditions the study is for
Non Specific Chronic Low Back Pain
What is being tested?
Graston Technique and Diacutaneous Fibrolysis
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
30 participants
Where
1 sitePakistan
Study dates
3 Jan 2026to 24 Oct 2026
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
Not yet: the study is under way

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 20 to 40 years
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult
  1. Age 20-40, both male and female participants
  2. Diagnosed with non-specific low back pain (pain not attributable to a specific pathology) which is typically localized lumbar pain
  3. Pain intensity ≥ 3/10 on NPRS
  4. Positive Modified Schober Test
  5. Reduced functional ability (e.g. score on Oswestry Disability Index ODI ≥ mild/moderate disability).
  6. Capable and eager to provide written informed permission and attend therapy sessions and follow-ups
  7. Not currently receiving other structured physiotherapy/manual therapy for LBP

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.

Pakistan1 site

  • Danyal Ahmad

    Sialkot, Punjab Province, 51010

Other trials in Pakistan

About this study

Official title: Comparative Effects of Graston Technique and Diacutaneous Fibrolysis on Pain, Functionality and Quality of Life in Patients With Non- Specific Low Back Pain: A Randomized Clinical Trial

This randomized clinical trial compared Graston Technique (GT) and Diacutaneous Fibrolysis (DF) in 30 patients with non-specific low back pain. Both treatments significantly reduced pain and disability and improved lumbar mobility. However, DF was more effective than GT in improving functional disability and lumbar flexion, while both techniques showed similar effects on pain, lumbar extension, and lateral flexion. Overall, DF may be preferable when improving functional ability is the main treatment goal.

Read the detailed description

This study was a two-arm parallel randomized clinical trial designed to compare the effectiveness of Graston Technique (GT) and Diacutaneous Fibrolysis (DF) in patients with non-specific low back pain (NSLBP). The main purpose was to determine whether one technique provided greater improvement in pain, lumbar mobility, and functional disability.

A total of 30 patients with NSLBP participated in the study. They were randomly divided into two equal groups: 15 participants received Graston Technique (GT) and 15 received Diacutaneous Fibrolysis (DF). Outcomes were assessed before and after the intervention.

The researchers evaluated several important clinical outcomes. Pain intensity was measured using the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS). Functional disability was assessed using the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). Lumbar mobility was evaluated using inclinometric measurements of lumbar flexion, extension, right lateral flexion, and left lateral flexion. The Modified Schober Test was also used to assess lumbar flexion mobility and determine whether participants had restricted or normal lumbar movement.

.

Being tested
Graston Technique, Diacutaneous Fibrolysis
Keywords
low back pain, Diacutaneous Fibrolysis, Graston Technique, instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization
Medical subject headings
Low Back Pain

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Graston TechniqueOther

    Graston Technique (GT) is a form of instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM) that uses specially designed stainless-steel instruments to identify and treat areas of soft-tissue restriction, adhesions, and altered tissue mobility. During treatment, the therapist applies the instrument over the affected tissues using controlled strokes and appropriate pressure to facilitate soft-tissue mobilization and improve tissue flexibility. In patients with non-specific low back pain, GT may be applied to the lumbar paraspinal muscles, thoracolumbar fascia, and other relevant soft tissues. The technique is intended to reduce pain, improve soft-tissue mobility, increase lumbar range of motion, and enhance functional performance. In this study, GT is used as the active intervention and its effects are compared with Diacutaneous Fibrolysis on pain, functional disability, and lumbar mobility.

  • Diacutaneous FibrolysisOther

    Diacutaneous Fibrolysis (DF) is a manual therapy technique that uses specially designed hook-shaped instruments to apply pressure and traction to soft tissues. The technique aims to mechanically mobilize areas of fibrosis, adhesions, and restricted connective tissue, particularly around muscles, tendons, fascia, and other anatomical structures. In patients with non-specific low back pain, DF can be applied to the lumbar and thoracolumbar regions to improve tissue mobility and reduce mechanical restrictions. The technique may help decrease pain, improve lumbar range of motion, and enhance functional ability. In this study, DF is used as an active intervention and compared with Graston Technique (GT) to determine which approach provides greater improvement in pain, functional disability, and lumbar mobility.

Study groups in NCT07836439
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Group A(Graston Technique with conventional therapy)ExperimentalGroup A consisted of 15 patients with non-specific low back pain (NSLBP) who were randomly assigned to receive the Graston Technique (GT). Participants received GT as the primary manual therapy intervention according to the standardized study protocol.
Receives: Other: Graston Technique
Group B(Diacutaneous Fibrolysis with conventional therapy).ExperimentalGroup B consisted of 15 patients with non-specific low back pain (NSLBP) who were randomly assigned to receive Diacutaneous Fibrolysis (DF). Participants received DF as the primary manual therapy intervention using specialized hook-shaped instruments.
Receives: Other: Diacutaneous Fibrolysis

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. numeric pain rating scale for pain

    Numerical Pain Rating Scale for pain

    Measured: 4 weeks

  2. Oswestry Disability index scale for disability

    Oswestry Disability index scale for diability

    Measured: 4 weeks

Secondary outcomes (2)

  1. Modified Schober test for ROM and flexibilty

    Modified Schober test for ROM and flexibilty

    Measured: 4 weeks

  2. Digital Inclinometer for ROM

    Digital Inclinometer for ROM

    Measured: 4 weeks

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted23 Sep 2026
  2. Study start3 Jan 2026
  3. Primary completion18 Jul 2026
  4. Study completion24 Oct 2026 (estimated)

Resources

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
Model description
This study is a two-arm, parallel-group randomized clinical trial (RCT) with a pre-test/post-test interventional design conducted to compare the effectiveness of Graston Technique (GT) and Diacutaneous Fibrolysis (DF) in patients with non-specific low back pain (NSLBP). A total of 30 eligible participants are randomly allocated into two equal groups, with 15 participants receiving GT and 15 receiving DF. Baseline assessments are performed before treatment using the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) for pain intensity, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) for functional disability, inclinometric measurements for lumbar range of motion, and the Modified Schober Test for lumbar mobility. Participants receive their assigned intervention according to the study protocol, followed by post-intervention assessment using the same outcome measures. Changes within and between groups are analyzed statistically to determine treatment effectiveness. The interventional model allows direct comparison of the
Masking
Single blind
Who is masked
Participant
Enrolment
30 participants (estimated)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT07836439
Sponsor's protocol ID
kuhs/dpt/umt-skt-065
Acronym
GT & DF
Status last verified
Sep 2026
First submitted
14 Sep 2026
Last updated
23 Sep 2026
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
Yes
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
Undecided: it has not been decided yet.

Publications

  • Brinjikji W, Luetmer PH, Comstock B, Bresnahan BW, Chen LE, Deyo RA, Halabi S, Turner JA, Avins AL, James K, Wald JT, Kallmes DF, Jarvik JG. Systematic literature review of imaging features of spinal degeneration in asymptomatic populations. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol. 2015 Apr;36(4):811-6. doi: 10.3174/ajnr.A4173. Epub 2014 Nov 27.

    PubMed 25430861

  • Maher C, Underwood M, Buchbinder R. Non-specific low back pain. Lancet. 2017 Feb 18;389(10070):736-747. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(16)30970-9. Epub 2016 Oct 11.

    PubMed 27745712

  • Vora AJ, Doerr KD, Wolfer LR. Functional anatomy and pathophysiology of axial low back pain: disc, posterior elements, sacroiliac joint, and associated pain generators. Phys Med Rehabil Clin N Am. 2010 Nov;21(4):679-709. doi: 10.1016/j.pmr.2010.07.005.

    PubMed 20977956

  • Lizier DT, Perez MV, Sakata RK. Exercises for treatment of nonspecific low back pain. Rev Bras Anestesiol. 2012 Nov-Dec;62(6):838-46. doi: 10.1016/S0034-7094(12)70183-6.

    PubMed 23176991

  • Robinault L, Niazi IK, Kumari N, Amjad I, Menard V, Haavik H. Non-Specific Low Back Pain: An Inductive Exploratory Analysis through Factor Analysis and Deep Learning for Better Clustering. Brain Sci. 2023 Jun 13;13(6):946. doi: 10.3390/brainsci13060946.

    PubMed 37371424

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Graston Technique and Diacutaneous Fibrolysis in people with Non Specific Chronic Low Back Pain, run by University of Management and Technology Sialkot Pakistan at 1 site in Pakistan.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

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: enrolling by invitation, as of the sponsor's last update on 23 Sep 2026. 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 Pakistan. 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?

This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.

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?

numeric pain rating scale for pain (time frame: 4 weeks). The study lists 2 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT07836439, which also lists 5 linked publications.

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 23 Sep 2026.

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