Evaluating Pain and Functional Outcomes of Active Release Technique Versus Strain-counter- Stain in Chronic Low Back Pain

clinical trial aims to compare the effects of Active Release Technique (ART) and Strain-Counter-Strain (SCS) on pain reduction and functional improvement in male patients aged 30-45 years with chronic low back pain (CLBP) persisting for at least 3-4 months. CLBP is a widespread and debilitating condition with significant impact on quality of life, healthcare costs, and work productivity. ART focuses on releasing myofascial adhesions and alleviating trigger points through manual pressure and movement, while SCS is a passive positional technique designed to reduce neuromuscular tension and restore range of motion. A total of 40 participants will be randomly allocated into two equal groups (ART group and SCS group). Both groups will receive standardized baseline treatment including a hot pack and interferential current therapy, followed by their respective intervention protocols for 12 sessions over 4 weeks. Pain intensity will be measured using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), functional disability using the Quebec Back Pain Disability Scale (QBPDS), and functional limitation using the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). Data will be analyzed using SPSS v25, applying paired and independent t-tests or their non-parametric equivalents, with a significance level of p \< 0.05. The study is expected to provide evidence-based insight into which intervention is more effective in improving pain and functional outcomes in CLBP. The findings may help guide clinical decision-making, contribute to treatment guidelines, and support cost-effective, patient-centered management approaches.

NCT Number	NCT07418346
Lead Sponsor	Ibadat International University, Islamabad
Conditions	Low Back Pain
Enrollment	40 participants
Start Date	2025-05-05
Primary Completion	2025-08-05 (estimated)
Study Completion	2025-08-15 (estimated)
Updated on ClinicalTrials.gov	2026-05-11