Not provided
| ID | Type | Description | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| GU-Ethics-08/863 | Other Identifier | Gazi University Ethics Committee |
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
This study aims to compare the effectiveness of two different Mulligan mobilization techniques in patients with non-specific low back pain. A total of 30 adults with chronic low back pain will be randomly assigned to three groups: (1) conventional physiotherapy plus hip internal rotation Mulligan mobilization, (2) conventional physiotherapy plus straight leg raise Mulligan mobilization, or (3) conventional physiotherapy only. The interventions will be applied twice a week for four weeks. The main outcomes are pain intensity (measured by Visual Analog Scale) and lumbar range of motion. Secondary outcomes include disability level (Oswestry Disability Index) and back awareness (Fremantle Back Awareness Questionnaire). The study will help determine whether Mulligan techniques provide additional benefits beyond conventional physiotherapy in reducing pain and improving function in people with non-specific low back pain.
Low back pain is the second most common cause of disability worldwide and significantly affects quality of life and healthcare systems. Non-specific low back pain (NSLBP) accounts for nearly 85% of all low back pain cases and is associated with loss of function, reduced productivity, and psychological problems. Physiotherapy approaches such as exercise, manual therapy, electrotherapy, and patient education are widely used, but not all patients benefit equally, highlighting the need for innovative and individualized treatment strategies. Mulligan mobilization is a manual therapy method that combines physiological joint movements with pain-free mobilization techniques. Techniques such as hip mobilization and traction-assisted straight leg raise (SLR) are thought to improve pain, range of motion, and functional outcomes. Although some studies suggest positive effects of Mulligan techniques, there is a lack of randomized controlled trials directly comparing different Mulligan approaches in patients with NSLBP. This triple-blind randomized controlled trial will investigate the comparative effectiveness of two Mulligan mobilization techniques. Thirty adults with NSLBP will be randomly assigned into three groups: (1) conventional physiotherapy plus hip internal rotation Mulligan mobilization, (2) conventional physiotherapy plus SLR Mulligan mobilization, and (3) conventional physiotherapy only. Interventions will be delivered twice a week for four weeks by experienced physiotherapists certified in the Mulligan Concept®. The primary outcomes will be pain intensity measured with the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and lumbar range of motion assessed by goniometer. Secondary outcomes include disability level measured with the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and back awareness assessed with the Fremantle Back Awareness Questionnaire (FreBAQ). The findings of this study are expected to provide evidence on whether Mulligan mobilization techniques offer additional benefits beyond conventional physiotherapy in the management of non-specific low back pain.
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
| Label | Type | Description | Intervention Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conventional Physiotherapy + Hip Internal Rotation Mulligan Mobilization | Experimental | Participants will receive conventional physiotherapy combined with Mulligan mobilization applied to hip internal rotation. The mobilization will be performed with a mobilization belt, 3 sets of 10 repetitions, twice weekly for 4 weeks. |
|
| Conventional Physiotherapy + Straight Leg Raise Mulligan Mobilization | Experimental | Participants will receive conventional physiotherapy combined with Mulligan mobilization applied to straight leg raise under traction. The mobilization will be performed in 3 sets of 10 repetitions (15-20 seconds hold), twice weekly for 4 weeks. |
|
| Conventional Physiotherapy Only | Active Comparator | Participants will receive conventional physiotherapy only, including transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (20 minutes), massage, stretching and strengthening exercises for lumbar muscles, postural training, and patient education. Treatment will be delivered twice weekly for 4 weeks. |
|
| Name | Type | Description | Arm Group Labels | Other Names |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hip Internal Rotation Mulligan Mobilization | Behavioral | Mulligan mobilization applied to hip internal rotation using a mobilization belt. Performed in 3 sets of 10 repetitions, twice weekly for 4 weeks, in addition to conventional physiotherapy. |
| Measure | Description | Time Frame |
|---|---|---|
| Pain Intensity (Visual Analog Scale, VAS) | Pain intensity will be assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), a 100 mm horizontal line ranging from "no pain" to "worst pain imaginable." Participants will mark their pain level, and the distance in millimeters will be recorded. | Baseline (week 0) and post-treatment (week 4). |
| Lumbar Range of Motion (ROM) | Lumbar spinal range of motion will be measured using a goniometer. Participants will perform active forward flexion, and the angle of motion will be recorded in degrees. | Baseline (week 0) and post-treatment (week 4). |
| Measure | Description | Time Frame |
|---|---|---|
| Disability Level (Oswestry Disability Index - ODI) | Functional disability will be assessed using the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). The scale consists of 10 items, each scored from 0 to 5, with higher scores indicating greater disability. The total score ranges from 0 (no disability) to 50 (maximum disability). | Baseline (week 0) and post-treatment (week 4) |
Not provided
Inclusion Criteria:
Exclusion Criteria:
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
| Name | Role | Phone | Extension | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yusuf Kaan KAYA | Contact | +90-505-013-81-65 | fzt.yusufkaankaya@gmail.com | |
| Rukiye ALTUNBAS | Contact | +90-545-227-27-95 | rukiskacar@gmail.com |
Not provided
| Facility | Status | City | State | ZIP | Country | Contacts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gazi University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation | Ankara | Ankara | 06500 | Turkey (Türkiye) |
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
| ID | Term |
|---|---|
| D017116 | Low Back Pain |
| ID | Term |
|---|---|
| D001416 | Back Pain |
| D010146 | Pain |
| D009461 | Neurologic Manifestations |
| D012816 | Signs and Symptoms |
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
This is a triple-blind study. Participants, outcome assessors, and investigators performing data analysis are blinded to group allocation. Only physiotherapists delivering the interventions are not blinded.
|
| Straight Leg Raise Mulligan Mobilization | Behavioral | Mulligan mobilization applied to straight leg raise under manual traction. Performed in 3 sets of 10 repetitions (15-20 seconds hold), twice weekly for 4 weeks, in addition to conventional physiotherapy. |
|
|
| Conventional Physiotherapy | Behavioral | Conventional physiotherapy including transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (20 minutes), massage, lumbar stretching and strengthening exercises, postural training, and patient education. Delivered twice weekly for 4 weeks. |
|
|
| Back Awareness (Fremantle Back Awareness Questionnaire - FreBAQ) | Body perception related to the lumbar region will be measured using the Fremantle Back Awareness Questionnaire (FreBAQ). The questionnaire has 9 items scored on a Likert scale (0-4), with higher scores reflecting reduced back awareness. | Baseline (week 0) and post-treatment (week 4). |
| D013568 |
| Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms |