Background It is unknown how diaphragm training combined with electrical stimulation affects pain, function, static stability, and balance in athletes with chronic low back pain (CLBP). This study aimed to explore the effects of combining diaphragm training with electrical stimulation on pain, function, static stability, and dynamic balance in athletes with nonspecific CLBP. Methods The design was a randomized clinical trial. A total of 24 amateur athletes (12 women, 12 men, mean age: 35.2 ± 9.8) with nonspecific CLBP were randomly allocated into two groups. The experimental group (n = 12) received diaphragm training plus Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS), while the control group (n = 12) received TENS alone. Both groups underwent 12 sessions over a four-week period. Static stability, dynamic balance, pain, and function were measured pre- and post-intervention. Results Analysis of variance 2 × 2 revealed greater improvements in pain (p < 0.001), static stability (p < 0.001), and dynamic balance (p < 0.01) in the experimental group compared to the control group. Function was improved in both groups following the interventions (p < 0.001), and there was a trend of a larger improvement in the experimental group than the control group (p = 0.09). Fisher’s exact test showed that the experimental group reported ≥50% improvement only in the pain score, not function, compared to the group that received TENS alone (p = 0.005). Conclusions Pain, function, static stability, and dynamic balance were improved in both groups following 12 intervention sessions. However, pain, static stability, and dynamic balance were improved to a greater extent in diaphragm training plus TENS than TENS alone in amateur athletes with CLBP. Therefore, it seems beneficial to add diaphragm training to the rehabilitation program for athletes with nonspecific CLBP. Trial registration The trial was retrospectively registered in the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (www.irct.ir) on September 10, 2020 as IRCT20090228001719N8.

Background: there is a lack of evidence about the effects of diaphragm training combined with TENS on balance, pain, and function in athletes with CLBP.Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the effects of combining diaphragm training with electrical stimulation on core stability, dynamic balance, pain, and function in young athletes with nonspecific CLBP.Design: Randomized clinical trialMethod: A total of 24 young adult athletes (12 women, 12 men) with non-specific CLBP were randomly allocated into experimental and control group. The experimental group received diaphragm training plus Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS), while the control group received only TENS. Both groups underwent 12 sessions over a 4-week period. Static stability, dynamic balance, pain, and function were measured pre- and post-intervention.Results: Significant improvements in pain and function scores were found in both groups after completing the interventions. However, only the experimental group showed significant improvements in the static stability and dynamic balance post-intervention. The experimental group showed greater improvements in pain and static stability. No significant differences in function or dynamic balance were observed between the groups. Conclusions: The present study indicates that diaphragm training plus TENS can improve static stability, dynamic balance, function, and pain in young athletes with non-specific CLBP. It seems beneficial to add diaphragm training to rehabilitation programs for athletes with CLBP.The trial was retrospectively registered at the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials on www.irct.ir (Identification number: IRCT20090228001719N8).

Background: It is unknown how diaphragm training combined with electrical stimulation affect balance, core stability, pain, and function in athletes with chronic low back pain (CLBP). This study aimed to explore the effects of combining diaphragm training with electrical stimulation on core stability, dynamic balance, pain, and function in young athletes with nonspecific CLBP.Methods: The design was a randomized clinical trial A total of 24 young adult athletes (12 women, 12 men) with non-specific CLBP were randomly allocated into experimental and control group. The experimental group received diaphragm training plus Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS), while the control group received only TENS. Both groups underwent 12 sessions over a 4-week period. Static stability, dynamic balance, pain, and function were measured pre- and post-intervention.Results: Significant improvements in pain and function scores were found in both groups after completing the interventions. However, only the experimental group showed significant improvements in the static stability and dynamic balance post-intervention. The experimental group showed greater improvements in pain and static stability. No significant differences in function or dynamic balance were observed between the groups. Conclusions: The present study indicates that diaphragm training plus TENS can improve static stability, dynamic balance, function, and pain in young athletes with non-specific CLBP. It seems beneficial to add diaphragm training to rehabilitation programs for athletes with CLBP.Trial registration: The trial was retrospectively registered at the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials on www.irct.ir (Identification number: IRCT20090228001719N8).