Effectiveness of Muscles Energy Technique in the Management of Chronic Non-specific Low Back Pain

Summary

Low back pain is the most common health problem that affects work performance and quality of life. Non-specific low back pain (NSLBP) is defined as low back pain not attributable to a recognizable, known specific pathology. NSLBP is the leading cause of disability among the major musculoskeletal conditions which leads to Impairments, Activity Limitations and participation restrictions. Therefore it becomes a psychosocial/economic burden on individuals, families, communities, industries and government. Existing literature shows globally 40% to 50% of people have LBP at some point in their lives and there exists a challenge in Africa on the best rehabilitation methods for low back pain management which could prevent chronic pain and disability. Therefore, this study aims to determine the effectiveness of MET when combined with DSE in the management of chronic NSLBP patients and to analyze the additional effect the MET procedure will provide relative to DSE.

Conditions

• Chronic Non-specific Low Back Pain

Interventions

PROCEDURE

DSE plus MET group A

The Dynamic stabilization exercises will consist of seven exercises, which are aimed to strengthen the lumbar stabilizing muscles. All seven dynamic stabilization exercises will be performed once and always in random order. The procedure for MET involves voluntary contraction of the participant's muscle in a precisely controlled direction, at varying levels of intensity, against a distinctly executed counterforce applied by the therapist. In this type of therapy, a participant contracts muscles by pushing against resistance provided by the therapist. The therapist then assists the participant in stretching, strengthening and relaxing those muscles.

PROCEDURE

DSE alone group B

The DSE in this arm is the same a described in group A, i.e. it involves seven exercises activities administered randomly at every session of the study intervention.

PROCEDURE

Standard Physiotherapy treatment group C

In the control group, the participants will receive standard physiotherapy treatment offered for the management of chronic NSLBP patients in Nigeria. Therefore, individuals randomized to this therapeutic group will be treated with classical massage, therapeutic exercises and a combination of interferential therapy and therapeutic ultrasound (INF/UTS) applied to the lumbosacral region.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of KwaZulu

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• USMAN ABBA AHMED, MASTERS · University of KwaZulu

• Maharaj S Sonill, PhD · University of KwaZulu

• Nadasan N Thaya, PhD · University of KwaZulu

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

DOUBLE

Model

FACTORIAL

Eligibility

Min Age

20 Years

Max Age

55 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2019-01-01

Primary Completion

2019-10-14

Completion

2019-12-20

Countries

• Nigeria

Study Locations