RecruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

Motivating Core-muscle Exercises With Wearable Sensors, Haptics and Interactive Gaming

This study aims to find out if a new smartbelt and mobile app can help adults with persistent lower back pain. The belt measures muscle activity during exercises, and the app gives instant feedback. Researchers want to see if using this system, along with standard care, reduces pain and improves how people get around in their daily lives, compared to just standard care. Participants will do an 8-week home exercise program. They'll either use the smartbelt system or just follow an exercise booklet. The study also checks if people stick to their exercises better with the new system. It's hoped this could offer a new way to manage back pain at home.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

Imperial College London

Enrolment target

Start

20 Apr 2026

Estimated completion

20 Apr 2027

Non-specific Low Back Pain Low Back Pain

What is this study about?

If you experience ongoing lower back pain, you know it can really affect your daily life. This study is exploring a new way to help people manage their pain and move more easily. It's looking at a special 'smartbelt' system that comes with a mobile phone app. When you exercise, this belt measures how your muscles are working, and the app gives you instant feedback. Think of it like having a little coach guiding you as you do your exercises at home.

The main idea behind this study is to see if this wearable system can make a real difference for people with long-term lower back pain. While exercise is a common recommendation for back pain, it can be hard to know if you're doing the exercises right, and it can be tough to stay motivated. The researchers believe this smartbelt might help with both of these challenges by showing you in real-time how well you’re engaging your core muscles.

Ultimately, the goal is to find out if using this belt and app system, alongside the usual care you might get, can lead to less pain, better movement, and higher motivation to stick with your exercise routine. This could be a step towards better tools for managing lower back pain from the comfort of your own home.

Key takeaways

Tests a new smartbelt and app for chronic lower back pain.
Compares it to standard home exercise over 8 weeks.
Aims to reduce pain and improve daily function.
Hopes to boost exercise motivation and adherence.
Participation involves home exercises and questionnaires.

Who may be eligible?

To join this study, you need to be an adult, aged 18 or older. You should have been experiencing lower back pain for at least six weeks within the last year. Your pain should be noticeable, scoring 4 out of 10 or higher on a pain scale, or it should affect your daily activities by at least 20% on a special disability index.

There are certain reasons why you might not be able to join. For example, if you have a serious spine problem, like a recent spine surgery (within the last 3 months), or if you've had cancer that has affected your spine. You also can't take part if you have severe heart or breathing issues that would make exercise unsafe, or if you are pregnant or have recently given birth (within the last three months).

Other reasons for not being able to join include having an allergy to materials in the belt (like Lycra), conditions that would make it hard to understand instructions, or if you're already in another medical study that might affect the results of this one. It’s important that your doctor hasn't identified any serious medical conditions that would make participating unsafe.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you 18 years old or older?
Have you had lower back pain for at least 6 weeks in the past year?
Is your pain significant (score 4/10 or more, or affects your daily life by 20%+)?
Have you had any serious back problems (like recent surgery, cancer in the spine, or known nerve damage)? (If yes, you may not be eligible)
Are you pregnant or have you given birth in the last 3 months? (If yes, you are not eligible)

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to join this study, you'll first be put into one of two groups by chance, like flipping a coin. One group will receive the special smartbelt system (the 'intervention group'), and the other will get standard care (the 'control group').

Everyone in the study will take part in an 8-week exercise program that you do at home. You'll be asked to do these exercises at least five times a week. If you're in the smartbelt group, you'll use the belt and mobile app during your exercise sessions. If you're in the control group, you'll get a booklet with the exercise program and links to videos to guide you.

Throughout the study, you'll complete questionnaires at the start, at the end of the 8 weeks, and again three months later. These questionnaires will ask about your pain levels, how your back pain affects your daily life, and how easy or useful you find any equipment. The researchers will also keep an eye on how regularly you do your exercises and how often you use the system, if you have it. There are no dedicated clinic visits; the exercise program is home-based.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part in this study may offer some potential benefits, such as gaining access to a new exercise feedback system that could help you manage your back pain more effectively, possibly reducing pain and improving your ability to do daily activities. However, there's no guarantee that you will experience these benefits. You might not find the system helpful, or your back pain might not improve. The main risks are generally low, as the exercises are designed to be safe for people with back pain. There's a small chance of discomfort or strain from the exercises, or a very rare chance of an allergic reaction to the belt materials. You have the right to withdraw from the study at any time without giving a reason, and this will not affect your usual medical care.

Locations (1)

Some site locations are approximate. We're improving this — please verify with the trial team before travelling.

Imperial College London
Verified postcode
London, United Kingdom· Recruiting

Common questions

What is the smartbelt?

It's a wearable belt that measures how your muscles move and work during exercises, sending this information to a mobile app in real-time.

How long will I need to exercise?

You'll follow an 8-week home-based exercise program, aiming to complete your exercises at least five times a week.

Do I have to go to a clinic?

No, this is a home-based exercise study. You'll use the belt and app (if in that group) or a booklet at home.

Will I definitely get the smartbelt?

You'll be randomly assigned to either the smartbelt group or a group receiving standard exercise instructions, like flipping a coin.

What if I decide I don't want to continue?

You are free to leave the study at any time without giving a reason, and it won't affect your medical care.

How to find out more

Reneira Seeamber Balaghee

r.seeamber18@imperial.ac.uk +447496682750 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.