The Effectiveness of Manual Therapy and PNF Compared With Kinesiotherapy in the Treatment of Non-specific Low Back Pain

Summary

The aim of the study was to determine whether the use of combination therapy consisting of manual therapy and proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) is more effective than the use of the techniques of manual therapy, PNF method or traditional physiotherapy as single methods in the treatment of non-specific low back pain.

The study was designed as single-blinded Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) and conducted on a group of 200 patients of Hospital in Parczew. The patients were randomly divided into four 50-person groups: A used manual therapy, B - PNF, C - manual therapy and PNF, and D -kinesiotherapy. Pain intensity was measured using VAS and Laitinen's questionnaire. Functional disability was assessed using Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and Back Pain Functional Scale (BPFS).

. The hypotheses were:

1. The greatest reduction of pain is observed in the combined therapy group consisting of manual therapy and PNF method
2. The range of movement of the lumbar spine is the most improved in the combination therapy group consisting of manual therapy and PNF method.
3. Neurological symptoms assessed by neurodynamic tests are reduced to the greatest extent in the combined therapy group consisting of manual therapy and PNF method.
4. The degree of disability due to back pain as assessed using the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) decreases in all study groups.
5. The functioning of patients in everyday life assessed using Back Pain Functional Scale (BPFS) shows the biggest improvement in the combination therapy group consisting of manual therapy and PNF method.

Conditions

• Back Pain

Interventions

PROCEDURE

Manual therapy

Manual therapy - the mobilisation of joint segments L4-L5 and L5-S1 and mobilisation techniques for soft tissues (functional massage of soft tissues and skin relaxation using the methods of stretching).

PROCEDURE

PNF

The PNF method - the movement patterns of the scapulae and the pelvis were used (anterior and posterior elevations and depression) along with the patterns of upper extremities (e.g. bending, abduction, outward rotation) and lower extremities (e.g. bending, abduction, inward rotation with bending of the knee joint).

PROCEDURE

Manual therapy + PNF

Combination therapy - Manual therapy and Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation

PROCEDURE

Kinesiotherapy

Traditional kinesiotherapy in the form of active slow exercises of back muscles, abdominal and gluteal muscles on a mat. The patients participated in a uniform treatment programme consisting of ten exercises. Each of the exercises was performed in a number of 20 repetitions.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Medical University of Lublin

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Kamil Zaworski · MU Lublin

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

TRIPLE

Model

CROSSOVER

Eligibility

Min Age

25 Years

Max Age

55 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2014-03-01

Primary Completion

2016-04-30

Completion

2016-04-30

Countries

• Poland

Study Locations