Comparison of the effect of 8 weeks of combined exercises and DNS on pain, proprioception, balance, muscular endurance, and motor control ability in men with non-specific chronic low back pain: A randomized clinical trial

The study aims to examine and compare two training methods, namely combined exercises and DNS, in improving pain, proprioception, balance, muscular endurance, and motor control ability in men with chronic non-specific low back pain.

The proposed clinical trial consists of two experimental groups and one control group in a factorial design. It is a randomized, non-blinded study involving 33 patients with chronic non-specific low back pain, utilizing both pre-test and post-test assessments.

This study focuses on chronic non-specific low back pain and includes three groups: two experimental groups and one control group. A total of 33 participants will be randomly assigned to the groups and will receive the designated protocols over a period of 8 weeks. Screening, implementation, and delivery of the protocols will take place at the Bamdad Orthotics and Prosthetics Center.

Inclusion Criteria: Men aged 18 to 65 years with chronic non-specific low back pain lasting less than 3 months, with pain (score less than 4), no specific disease or previous surgery, adequate functional ability, no professional training or stability exercises in the past 3 months, and no medical contraindications for exercise. Exclusion Criteria: Withdrawal or absence from sessions, use of supportive devices, non-mechanical pain, use of neurological or psychiatric medications, history of spinal surgery or abnormalities, and serious diseases such as cancer, rheumatism, infections, disc herniation, or neurological and motor disorders.

Experimental Group 1: Receives combined exercises Experimental Group 2: Receives DNS (Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization) exercises Control Group: Will not receive any intervention protocol

Pain; proprioception; balance; muscular endurance; motor control ability

For the random assignment of participants, a complete list of eligible individuals was first prepared. Then, a random sequence was generated using the 'Research Randomizer' website. This sequence included random assignments to the two study groups and was created without any researcher involvement. Based on this sequence, a sealed opaque envelope containing a slip with the assigned group was prepared for each participant number. Upon arrival of each participant, the envelope corresponding to their number was opened sequentially, in a way that could not be predicted by the staff. In this way, the allocation process was entirely random, concealed, and without any researcher interference.

In this study, only the participants were blinded to group allocation. After randomization, each participant was placed in one of the three groups without knowledge of the type of intervention, and no explanation was given to them about the differences between the experimental and control groups. The intervention materials and instructions were presented in a way that participants could not clearly discern their group type. However, due to the nature of the study, the researchers and intervention administrators were aware of the group allocation. Therefore, the study is considered a 'single-blind' study, with only the participants being blinded.

Due to ethical considerations and adherence to participant confidentiality principles, individual participant data (IPD) from this study will not be publicly available. Additionally, according to institutional regulations and university policies, sharing raw data is not permitted. However, aggregated or analyzed data may be made available to qualified researchers upon formal request and following the necessary legal procedures.

All data related to my study, including outcome data, research results, and relevant statistics, will be published.

After completing the study

Academic and scientific institutions, researchers and students

By simply citing and referencing the study

Researcher's email, contact number, publishing journal

After sending a message to the researcher, the requesting individual will be provided with information that the researcher can publish upon reasonable request based on the purpose of the study.

The researcher cannot release specific information about the participants to protect their rights. All information that can be released is released with the aim of helping to improve health and to help other researchers.