Efficacy of the Mckenzie Method in Patients With Chronic Non-Specific Low Back Pain: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial
Efficacy of the Mckenzie Method in Patients With Chronic Non-Specific Low Back Pain: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial
The purpose of this study is to assess the efficacy of the McKenzie method in patients with chronic non-specific low back.
One hundred and forty-eight patients will be randomly allocated to two treatment groups: McKenzie method or Placebo (detuned ultrasound and short wave therapy) for 5 weeks (total of 10 sessions of 30 minutes each).
The clinical outcomes will be obtained at the completion of treatment (5 weeks) and at 3, 6, and 12 months after randomization. The data will be collected by a blinded assessor. The statistical analysis will follow the intention-to-treat principles and the between-group differences will be calculated by constructing mixed linear models.
Inclusion Criteria: patients seeking care for chronic non-specific low back pain (defined as pain or discomfort between the costal margins and the inferior gluteal folds, with or without referred symptoms in the lower limbs, for at least 3 months), with a pain intensity of at least 3 points measured by a 0-10 points pain numerical rating scale, aged between 18 and 80 years and able to read in Portuguese.
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Exclusion Criteria: patients will be excluded if they have any contraindication to physical exercise or ultrasound or short wave therapy, evidence of nerve root compromise (i.e one or more of motor, reflex or sensation deficit), serious spinal pathology (such as fracture, tumor, inflammatory and infectious diseases), serious cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, previous back surgery and pregnancy.
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