Mind over back pain: new study tests mental training for relief
NCT ID NCT06859645
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Aug 14, 2026 · Updated 2 times
Summary
This study tested whether adding motor imagery training—mentally practicing movements without actually moving—to standard telerehabilitation exercise could help people with chronic low back pain. Thirty-two adults with persistent pain were randomly assigned to either exercise alone or exercise plus daily motor imagery for eight weeks. Researchers measured pain, disability, fatigue, anxiety, and physical function before, after, and at a 12-week follow-up.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- motor imagery training
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could offer a simple, home-based way to reduce pain and improve daily function for people with chronic low back pain.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-stage trial with only 32 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. The benefit of adding motor imagery to exercise is still unproven.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
-
Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
-
32 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
-
Mar 2025
- Finished
-
Aug 2026
- Lead sponsor
-
Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
-
18 to 55 years
- Sex
-
Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
-
Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Being between 18 and 55 years old * Having a history of low back pain persisting for at least three months * Experiencing recurrent episodes of low back pain * Having a low back pain intensity score of 4 or higher on the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NRS) out of 10 during both rest and activity * Having the ability to use a computer, tablet, or smartphone at a level sufficient to participate in assessments and treatment sessions via videoconference, or having a caregiver who can assist with this * Volunteering to participate in the study * Being able to read and understand Turkish Exclusion Criteria: * A history of spinal surgery * Having traumatic low back injuries * Presence of severe comorbidities (neurological, neuromuscular, cardiological, psychiatric) * Presence of tumoral conditions * Having visual or hearing impairments * Presence of cognitive impairments * Receiving physiotherapy for low back pain within the last six months * Changes in pain medication within the last two months * Receiving additional treatments beyond routine care * Being pregnant
Get updates
Get notified about this study
Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for Low back pain are added.
Genom att skicka in godkänner du våra Användarvillkor
Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
Istanbul Bilgi University
Istanbul, Turkey (Türkiye)
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
- Pilates takes on standard physical therapy in battle against Work-Related back pain
- Radiofrequency device tested as Add-On for stubborn back pain
- Back muscles hold clues for treating recurrent low back pain
- Skip the GP? physiotherapy first for back pain put to the test
- Can yoga ease back pain when recovery looks unlikely?
- Can a second injection target the source of stubborn back pain?