Participants in this group received Body Awareness Therapy in addition to core stabilization exercises. The intervention was administered twice weekly under the supervision of a physiotherapist for 8 weeks. Each session consisted of approximately 30 minutes of core stabilization exercises and an additional 30 minutes of Body Awareness Therapy. On the remaining days of the week, participants performed the prescribed exercise program independently at home. Body Awareness Therapy included a series of movements performed in different positions such as lying, sitting, standing, and walking. Considering the eight-week intervention period, the training program was structured to progress gradually on a weekly basis.

Participants in this group received a core stabilization exercise program. Prior to implementation, all exercises were demonstrated by the physiotherapist, and during the sessions, verbal and tactile feedback were provided to ensure correct movement patterns and exercise performance. Each session began with approximately 10 minutes of warm-up exercises and ended with a 10-minute cool-down period, resulting in a total session duration of approximately 60 minutes. Progression of the exercises was individualized according to each participant's functional capacity and tolerance level. The exercise program was designed to progress gradually from 1 to 3 sets and from 7-10 repetitions to 10-15 repetitions. In addition, exercise difficulty was progressively increased through modifications in body position, the use of body weight, resistance bands, and exercise balls.

In the control group undergoing classical exercise therapy, the program content consisted primarily of stretching exercises targeting the erector spinae and hamstring muscle groups, as well as strengthening exercises for the abdominal muscles, thoracic and lumbar extensors, pelvis, and shoulder girdle muscles. In addition, training to improve postural awareness and deep breathing exercises were included in the program. Following the warm-up, exercises were initially selected from lower-difficulty movements performed in a supine position, gradually progressing to more complex and challenging exercises according to the individual's tolerance. Cool-down exercises were included at the end of each program. In the first session of treatment, individuals were shown exercises to perform at home.

Body awareness refers to a holistic approach to human movement, considering the physical, physiological, psychological, and existential aspects of human existence. The educational philosophy based on this holistic perspective includes fundamental functions such as postural stability, natural breathing, and awareness. Body awareness aims to normalize muscle tension experienced and visible in posture, balance, breathing, and movement behavior. The program begins with "journey within the body" exercises in a supine position on a mat, followed by breath focus, muscle contraction and relaxation, combined breathing exercises with sound, and full-body stretching exercises. In a seated position, the program focuses on finding the correct body alignment, stimulating the core through breathing and coordination exercises, and performing trunk movements while maintaining body alignment. In a standing position, the goal is to find the correct body alignment and functional posture.

Pain Assessment

McGill Pain Scale Short Form:

The Short-Form McGill Pain Questionnaire (SF-McGill), developed by Melzack and Torgerson in 1975, was used to assess pain levels in the individuals. The primary component of the SF-McGill consists of 15 pain-descriptive items (11 sensory and 4 affective), rated on a scale of 0 (none) to 3 (severe). The scale also includes a present pain intensity index (0 = no pain, 1 = mild, 2 = discomforting, 3 = distressing, 4 = horrible, 5 = excruciating) and a visual analog scale (VAS). Scores derived from the sensory and affective items in the first section of the scale were recorded both separately and as a total. The present pain intensity index was used to determine whether the individual was experiencing pain and, if so, to assess its severity. In the VAS section, the individual was asked to mark the severity of their pain on a 10-centimeter (cm) linear scale, which was then measured with a ruler and recorded.

- Tampa Kinesiophobia Scale Kinesiophobia is a condition characterized by an individual's avoidance of physical activities due to pain-related fear; it triggers illness behavior and is associated over time with a syndrome of functional impairment and a decline in cognitive and physical performance. It is a 17-item measurement tool. The scale includes dimensions that assess fear of injury and re-injury, as well as fear-avoidance behaviors, within the context of work-related activities. Utilizing a four-point Likert-type scoring system, responses range from 1 ("Strongly disagree") to 4 ("Strongly agree"). Items 4, 8, 12, and 16 are reverse-scored, and the total score is calculated following this step. Participants can achieve a minimum score of 17 and a maximum of 68. A higher total score indicates an increased level of kinesiophobia, and the use of the total score for assessment purposes is recommended in research.