Abstract
Background: Long-term clinical practice has found that there are still some deficiencies in freehand joint loosening. Due to the therapist's lack of anatomical knowledge and treatment experience, and incorrect wrist joints, wrist and other parts of the force during the treatment, the incidence of wrist and lower back pain produced by the therapist has significantly increased. The purpose of the feasibility study is to observe the effects of spinal mobilization apparatus combined with sling exercise training on pain and muscle fatigue in patients with non-specific low back pain.Methods: This pilot study will recruit 82 eligible patients with non-specific lower back pain from Ningbo Rehabilitation Hospital. Patients who are re-elected to this study will be randomly assigned to the intervention group in a 1:1 ratio to receive spinal mobilization apparatus and sling exercise training on top of completing conventional rehabilitation therapy, while the control group will receive sling exercise training on top of conventional rehabilitation therapy. Primary and secondary indicators were tested at the 0-week, 8-week and 3-month follow-up phases, respectively. The Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) scale was used for the primary observation and the visual analogue scale (VAS) score, core group endurance test (CET) for the secondary indicators, intra-abdominal pressure (IAP), surface electromyographic (SMEG) measurement of core muscle fatigue, musculoskeletal ultrasound measurement of diaphragm thickness (DT), range of motion (ROM) and the activity of daily life (ADL).Discussion: This pilot study will determine the feasibility of conducting a full randomized controlled trial protocol to assess the effectiveness of spinal mobilization apparatus combined with sling exercise training compared to sling exercise training alone in improving low back pain and muscle fatigue in patients with non-specific lower back pain, providing preliminary clinical evidence of the efficacy of the combined therapy in improving low back pain and muscle fatigue in patients with non-specific lower back pain.Trial registration: This trial was first registered on Chinese Clinical Trial Register, ChiCTR2100042333 on 19 January 2021.