COMPARATIVE STUDY OF MUSCLE ENERGY TECHNIQUE AND MCKENZIE THERAPY IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC LOW BACK PAIN

Background and objectives: The study aimed to compare the effectiveness of craniosacral therapy (CST), muscle energy technique (MET), and sensorimotor training (SMT) on pain, disability, depression, and quality of life of patients with non-specific chronic low back pain (NCLBP). Methodology: In this randomized clinical trial study 45 patients with NCLBP were randomly divided in three groups including CST, SMT, and MET. All groups received 10 sessions CST, SMT, and MET training in 5 weeks. Visual analogue scale (VAS), Oswestry functional disability questionnaire (ODQ), Beck depression inventory-II (BDI-II), and 36-item short form health survey (SF-36) were used to evaluate the pain, disability, depression, and quality of life, respectively, in three times, before treatment, after the last session of treatment, and after 2 months follow up. Results: The Results showed that VAS, ODI, BDI, and SF-36 changes were significant in the groups SMT, CST and MET (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p < 0.001). The VAS, ODI, BDI, and SF-36 changes in post-treatment and follow-up times in the CST group were significantly different in comparison to SMT group, and the changes in VAS, ODI, BDI, and SF-36 at after treatment and follow-up times in the MET group compared with the CST group had a significant difference (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Craniosacral therapy, muscle energy technique, and sensorimotor training were all effective in improvement of pain, depression, functional disability, and quality of life of patients with non-specific chronic low back pain. Craniosacral therapy is more effective than muscle energy technique, and sensorimotor training in post-treatment and follow up. The effect of craniosacral therapy was continuous after two months follow up. Keywords: Low Back Pain; Craniosacral Therapy; Muscle Energy Technique; Sensorimotor Training Abbreviations: CST - Craniosacral therapy; MET - Muscle energy technique; SMT - Sensorimotor training; NCLBP - Non-specific chronic low back pain; ODQ - Oswestry functional disability questionnaire; 36-SF - 36-item short form health survey; BDI - Beck depression inventory; ROM - Range of motion Citation: Ghasemi C, Amiri A, Sarrafzadeh J, Dadgoo M, Maroufi N. Comparison of the effects of craniosacral therapy, muscle energy technique, and sensorimotor training on non-specific chronic low back pain Received: 21 July 2020, Reviewed: 14 August 2020, Revised: 15 August 2020, Accepted: 15 August 2020

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Immediate effects of muscle energy technique and stabilization exercise in patients with chronic low back pain with suspected facet joint origin: A pilot study

Hong Kong Physiotherapy Journal ◽

10.1142/s1013702520500109 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 40 (02) ◽

pp. 109-119

Author(s):

Wahyuddin Wahyuddin ◽

Mantana Vongsirinavarat ◽

Keerin Mekhora ◽

Sunee Bovonsunthonchai ◽

Rachaneewan Adisaipoapun

Keyword(s):

Low Back Pain ◽

Back Pain ◽

Pain Intensity ◽

Chronic Low Back Pain ◽

Facet Joint ◽

Low Back ◽

Stabilization Exercise ◽

Muscle Energy Technique ◽

Left And Right ◽

Muscle Energy

Background: Facet joint is a potential structure to be the source of chronic low back pain (LBP) affecting lumbar motion, pain, and disability. Other than the recommended treatment of lumbar stabilization exercise (LSE), several manual procedures including muscle energy technique (MET) are commonly used in physical therapy clinic. However, little evidences of the effects of MET have been reported. Objective: This study aimed to compare the immediate effects of MET and LSE in patients with chronic LBP with suspected facet joint origin. Methods: Twenty-one patients with low back pain were recruited and randomly assigned to receive treatment either MET or LSE. The outcomes were kinematic changes, pain intensity, and disability level. Lumbar active range of motion (ROM) of flexion, extension, left and right lateral flexion, and left and right rotation were evaluated using the three-dimension motion analysis system at baseline and immediately after treatment. Pain intensity was evaluated using visual analogue scale (VAS) at baseline, immediately after, and two days after treatment. Thai version of the modified Oswestry disability questionnaire (ODQ) was utilized at baseline and two days after treatment. The mixed model analysis of variance was used to analyze all outcomes. Results: The results showed that all outcomes were not different between groups after treatments. Although there were statistically significant improvements after the treatments when collapsing the groups, the minimal clinically important change was found only for pain but not for lumbar movements and disabilities scores. Conclusion: The effect of MET and LSE alone in single session might not be intensive enough to improve movements and decrease disability in patients with chronic LBP with suspected facet joint origin.

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Immediate effects of muscle energy technique on kinematics, pain, and disability in patients with chronic low back pain of zygapophyseal joint origin

http://isrctn.com/ ◽

10.1186/isrctn18528219 ◽

2017 ◽

Author(s):

Mantana Vongsirinavarat

Keyword(s):

Low Back Pain ◽

Back Pain ◽

Chronic Low Back Pain ◽

Low Back ◽

Zygapophyseal Joint ◽

Muscle Energy Technique ◽

Muscle Energy

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Efficacy of spinal extension exercise program versus muscle energy technique in treatment of chronic mechanical low back pain

The Egyptian Journal of Neurology Psychiatry and Neurosurgery ◽

10.1186/s41983-019-0124-5 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 55 (1) ◽

Author(s):

E. Fahmy ◽

H. Shaker ◽

W. Ragab ◽

H. Helmy ◽

M. Gaber

Keyword(s):

Low Back Pain ◽

Back Pain ◽

Range Of Motion ◽

Functional Disability ◽

Exercise Program ◽

Low Back ◽

Muscle Energy Technique ◽

Muscle Energy ◽

Group B ◽

Lumbar Range Of Motion

Abstract Background Mechanical low back pain (MLBP) is a major cause of illness and disability, especially in people of working age. People with chronic low back pain often experience anger, fear, anxiety, decrease in physical ability, and inadequacy of role fulfillment. Objective This study aimed to compare the efficacy of extension exercise program versus muscle energy technique in treating patients with chronic mechanical low back pain. Subjects and methods Forty patients complaining of chronic mechanical low back pain participated in the study. Patients were randomly allocated into two equal groups: group A which received spinal extension exercise program and group B which received muscle energy technique. Treatment sessions were given three times per week for four successive weeks. Patients were assessed before and after treatment using visual analogue scale (VAS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and digital goniometer to assess pain intensity, functional disability, and range of motion (ROM) of lumbar spine respectively. Results There was significant decrease in the scores of pain and functional disability in both groups post-treatment especially in group B. There was significant increase in lumbar range of motion in both groups post-treatment, especially in group A. Conclusion Extension exercise program had better effect on improving lumbar range of motion, whereas muscle energy technique was better in decreasing pain and functional disability in patients with chronic mechanical low back pain.

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