Low Back PainNCT07890363
Gamified Home-Based Core Neuromuscular Training for Chronic Low Back Pain
A study testing Gamified Intervention Group: core neuromuscular exercise program using a digital application with gamification features in people with Low Back Pain and Low Back Pain and Core Muscle, run by Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University.
Trial summary
This randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the effects of gamified home-based core neuromuscular training on pain intensity, functional disability, core muscular endurance, and exercise adherence in women with chronic nonspecific low back pain. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 45 years, women only
- Conditions the study is for
- Low Back Pain, Low Back Pain and Core Muscle
- What is being tested?
- Gamified Intervention Group: core neuromuscular exercise program using a digital application with gamification features
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 60 participants
- Where
- No sites listed yet
- Study dates
- 1 Nov 2026to 28 Feb 2027
- Phase
- Interventional
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 18 to 45 years
- Women only
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- Female participants aged 18-45 years.
- Nonspecific low back pain persisting for at least 12 weeks.
- Baseline pain intensity of ≥3 on the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS).
- Ability to perform the prescribed core exercises safely.
- Ownership of a compatible smartphone.
- Internet access when required.
Who cannot join
- Specific spinal pathology or serious medical conditions.
- Previous spinal surgery.
- Neurological symptoms affecting the lower limbs.
- Pregnancy.
- Severe musculoskeletal conditions limiting exercise.
- Current participation in another low back pain rehabilitation program.
- Any contraindication to exercise.
Trial locations and contacts
No sites are listed yet. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
About this study
Official title: Effect of a Gamified Home-Based Core Neuromuscular Training on Pain, Disability, and Core Endurance in Women With Chronic Nonspecific Low Back Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial
This randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the effects of gamified home-based core neuromuscular training on pain intensity, functional disability, core muscular endurance, and exercise adherence in women with chronic nonspecific low back pain. Participants will be randomly allocated in a 1:1 ratio to either a gamified intervention group or a non-gamified control group. Both groups will perform the same progressive core exercise program. The intervention group will use a digital application with gamification features, while the control group will perform the exercises without gamification. Outcomes will be assessed at baseline, week 3, and week 6. The study will determine whether gamification provides additional benefits over conventional home-based exercise in improving clinical outcomes and exercise adherence in women with chronic nonspecific low back pain.
Read the detailed description
Chronic nonspecific low back pain is associated with persistent pain and functional disability. Although home-based core exercises are commonly used in rehabilitation, maintaining exercise adherence can be challenging. Gamification may enhance motivation and engagement through interactive digital features.
This randomized controlled trial will recruit women aged 18-45 years with chronic nonspecific low back pain lasting at least 12 weeks and a baseline moderate pain intensity or more. Participants will be randomly allocated in a 1:1 ratio to a gamified intervention group or a non-gamified control group. Both groups will complete the same progressive home-based core exercise program for six weeks, with three sessions per week lasting 20-30 minutes. Exercises will include plank, side plank, foot-elevated side plank, dead bug, and bird dog. The intervention group will use a digital app, while the control group will perform the exercises without gamification.
Assessments will be conducted at baseline, week 3, and week 6. Pain intensity will be measured using the Numeric Pain Rating Scale, functional disability using the Oswestry Disability Index, core muscular endurance using trunk flexor, trunk extensor, and side-bridge tests, and adherence as the percentage of completed sessions. The study aims to recruit 60 participants. Data will be analyzed using linear mixed-effects models to compare changes between groups over time. Ethical approval will be obtained before recruitment, and written informed consent will be obtained from all participants.
- Conditions
- Low Back Pain, Low Back Pain and Core Muscle
- Being tested
- Gamified Intervention Group: core neuromuscular exercise program using a digital application with gamification features, Non-Gamified Control Group
- Keywords
- Chronic nonspecific low back pain; Gamification; Core neuromuscular training; Home-based exercise; Functional disability.
- 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.
Gamified Intervention Group: core neuromuscular exercise program using a digital application with gamification featuresOther
a six-week home-based core neuromuscular exercise program using a digital application with gamification features. The program will include three sessions per week, each lasting approximately 20-30 minutes.
Non-Gamified Control GroupOther
six-week home-based core neuromuscular exercise program without gamification, with three sessions per week, each lasting approximately 20-30 minutes.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Arm 1: Gamified Intervention Group | Experimental | a six-week home-based core neuromuscular exercise program using a digital application with gamification features. Receives: Other: Gamified Intervention Group: core neuromuscular exercise program using a digital application with gamification features |
| Arm 2: Non-Gamified Control Group | Active comparator | Participants will perform the same six-week home-based core neuromuscular exercise program without gamification, with three sessions per week, each lasting approximately 20-30 minutes. Receives: Other: Non-Gamified Control Group |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Change in Pain Intensity
Pain intensity will be assessed using the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), an 11-point scale ranging from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst imaginable pain). Changes in pain intensity will be compared between the gamified and non-gamified home-based core neuromuscular training groups.
Time Frame:
Measured: Baseline to Week 6 (6 weeks).
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted22 Oct 2026
- Study start1 Nov 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion20 Feb 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion28 Feb 2027 (estimated)
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.
- 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
- Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 60 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Zizi M Ibrahim, Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07890363
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 26-0740
- Status last verified
- Oct 2026
- First submitted
- 15 Oct 2026
- Last updated
- 22 Oct 2026
- Results posted
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No