The Role of Core and Functional Exercises in Low Back and Neck Pain

Condition(s) studied

Investigational drug(s) / intervention(s)

core exercises: The participants performed core exercises three times per week for a total of six weeks

functional strength exercises: The participants performed functional strength exercises three times per week for a total of six weeks.

education group: During the educational session, participants were provided with information on proper posture, ergonomic movements, the importance of posture in daily life, and pain management.

Study summary

Low back and neck pain are common health problems that can negatively affect daily life activities in healthy women. A significant proportion of adults worldwide experience low back or neck pain at some point in their lives, leading to loss of physical function, reduced work capacity, and decreased quality of life. Women who work at desk-based jobs are particularly prone to such pain due to prolonged sitting, computer use, and non-ergonomic postures. Poor posture habits, weak core muscles, and low postural awareness are among the main causes of low back and neck pain. Strengthening the core muscles, enhancing spinal and pelvic stability, improving muscular endurance, and increasing postural awareness are effective methods to reduce the risk of low back and neck pain. Functional strength exercises support safe and effective movement in daily life activities by improving muscle strength, endurance, and coordination. These exercises are important not only for treating existing pain but also as part of preventive health strategies. Preventive exercise programs can reduce the risk of pain and functional loss in healthy individuals, thereby improving long-term quality of life. Although various exercise approaches have been examined in the literature for the prevention of low back and neck pain, studies comparing core and postural stabilization exercises with functional strength exercises in healthy women are limited. This gap does not provide physiotherapists and health professionals with clear evidence on which exercise approach is more effective. This study aims to compare the effects of core and postural stabilization exercises versus functional strength exercises on the risk of low back and neck pain during daily activities in healthy women. The findings of this study are expected to guide the design and implementation of preventive exercise programs for healthy women.

Eligibility

Primary outcome measure(s)

• Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ) — 6 week
  An internationally recognized questionnaire used to assess musculoskeletal symptoms. It specifically asks about pain, discomfort, and limited movement in areas such as the back, neck, and shoulders. The questionnaire divides the body into nine anatomical regions and asks whether pain, discomfort, or limited movement has been experienced in the last 12 months and the last 7 days. A higher score indicates greater prevalence and frequency of pain.
• Visual Analog Scale (VAS) — 6 week
  This is a simple and reliable self-report scale used to measure pain intensity. The participant is usually shown a 10 cm long line; one end of the line represents "no pain" (0), and the other end represents "unbearable pain" (10). The participant marks a point on the line according to the intensity of pain they are currently experiencing. Pain intensity is numerically determined by measuring the position of the mark on the line.
• Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) — 6 week
  This 10-section scale covers topics such as pain intensity, personal care, lifting, walking, sitting, standing, sleeping, social life, travel, and sexual life. Each section is scored from 0 to 5. A higher total score indicates a greater degree of functional disability due to low back pain. Results from the scale are expressed as percentages, with 0-20% representing minimal disability, 21-40% representing moderate disability, 41-60% representing severe disability, 61-80% representing severe disability, and 81-100% representing complete dependency.
• Neck Disability Index (NDI) — 6 week
  This is a valid and reliable scale widely used in clinical and research settings that measures the impact of neck pain on individuals' activities of daily living. This 10-section scale covers topics such as pain intensity, personal care, lifting, reading, headache, concentration, working, driving, sleep, and recreational activities. Each section is scored from 0 to 5. As the total score increases, the functional disability associated with neck pain increases. The resulting score is expressed as a percentage, with 0-20% representing minimal disability, 21-40% representing moderate disability, 41-60% representing severe disability, 61-80% representing severe disability, and 81-100% representing complete dependency.

Trial sites (2)

Other trials for the same condition