McKenzie vs Manual Therapy for Low Back Pain (LowBackpain)

Comparative Study of McKenzie Technique and Manual Therapy for Pain and Function in Low Back Pain

A comparative study evaluating the effectiveness of the McKenzie technique versus manual therapy in patients with nonspecific low back pain. The study aims to assess which intervention is more effective in reducing pain and improving functional mobility.

Study Overview

• Status: Recruiting
• Conditions: Low Back Pain
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Physical Therapy Exercises; Other: Group B

Detailed Description

The study compares McKenzie Method, a directional preference-based approach involving repeated movements and posture correction, against Manual Therapy, which includes hands-on techniques such as mobilizations and manipulations. Patients with nonspecific low back pain will be randomly assigned to one of the two groups and treated over a defined period. Outcomes will be measured using pain and disability scores.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Estimated): 52
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: Dr.Nadeem Ahmad, MS; Phone Number: 03451915105; Email: n.ahmad@riphah.edu.pk
• Study Contact Backup: Name: Dr.Nadeem Ahmad, MS; Phone Number: 03028367237; Email: n.ahmad@riphah.edu.pk

Study Locations

• Pakistan
  • KPK
    • Malakand, KPK, Pakistan, 23060
      • Recruiting
      • Riphah international University Malakand
      • Contact: DrNadeem Ahmad; Phone Number: 03451915105; Email: n.ahmad@riphah.edu.pk

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Diagnosis of nonspecific low back pain lasting more than 4 weeks
• Willing to participate and comply with the study protocol

Exclusion Criteria:

• History of lumbar spine surgery
• Presence of spinal fracture, tumor, or infection
• Pregnant women
• Severe osteoporosis or spinal deformity

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Health Services Research
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: Single

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: McKenzie Technique (Group A); Experimental - McKenzie Technique (Group A) Intervention Type: Physical Therapy Intervention Name: McKenzie Extension Exercises Description: This group will receive McKenzie-based physical therapy including postural correction, prone lying, prone on elbows, prone press-ups (3×10), soft tissue mobilization (5-10 mins), lumbar mobilization (PA glide, side-lying rotations), METs (pelvic tilts, hip flexor stretch), core exercises (bridge, dead bug), plus hot pack (15-20 mins) and TENS (10 mins) before and after therapy.	Other: Physical Therapy Exercises; Experimental - McKenzie Technique (Group A) Intervention Type: Other: Physical Therapy Exercises Other Names: Intervention for low back pain Description: Soft Tissue Mobilization: Manual massage to release muscle tension (5-10 mins) Lumbar Mobilization Techniques: PA Mobilization (Posteroanterior glide) on the lumbar spine (Grade I-IV, 3-5 min per segment) Side-lying Rotational Mobilization (3 sets × 10 reps) Muscle Energy Techniques (METs): Pelvic Tilts (3 sets × 10 reps) Hip Flexor Stretch with Isometric Hold (3 sets × 10 sec per side) Core Stabilization Exercises: Bridge Exercise (3 sets × 10-15 reps) Dead Bug Exercise (3 sets × 10 reps per side) Modalities: Hot Pack (15-20 mins) for relaxation before therapy TENS (10 mins) for pain relief before mobilization; Other Names: intervention for low backpain
Active Comparator: Active Comparator: Manual Therapy (Group B); Physical Therapy Intervention Name: Manual Therapy and Exercises Description: Participants will receive soft tissue mobilization, lumbar mobilization (PA glide, side-lying rotations), METs (pelvic tilts, hip flexor stretch), core exercises (bridge, dead bug), general stretching, hot pack (15-20 mins), and TENS (10 mins) before mobilization. No McKenzie techniques will be applied.	Other: Physical Therapy Exercises; Experimental - McKenzie Technique (Group A) Intervention Type: Other: Physical Therapy Exercises Other Names: Intervention for low back pain Description: Soft Tissue Mobilization: Manual massage to release muscle tension (5-10 mins) Lumbar Mobilization Techniques: PA Mobilization (Posteroanterior glide) on the lumbar spine (Grade I-IV, 3-5 min per segment) Side-lying Rotational Mobilization (3 sets × 10 reps) Muscle Energy Techniques (METs): Pelvic Tilts (3 sets × 10 reps) Hip Flexor Stretch with Isometric Hold (3 sets × 10 sec per side) Core Stabilization Exercises: Bridge Exercise (3 sets × 10-15 reps) Dead Bug Exercise (3 sets × 10 reps per side) Modalities: Hot Pack (15-20 mins) for relaxation before therapy TENS (10 mins) for pain relief before mobilization; Other Names: intervention for low backpain; Other: Group B; Manual Therapy (Group B) Description: Soft Tissue Mobilization: Manual massage to release muscle tension (5-10 mins) Lumbar Mobilization Techniques: PA Mobilization (Posteroanterior glide) on the lumbar spine (Grade I-IV, 3-5 min per segment) Side-lying Rotational Mobilization (3 sets × 10 reps) Muscle Energy Techniques (METs): Pelvic Tilts (3 sets × 10 reps) Hip Flexor Stretch with Isometric Hold (3 sets × 10 sec per side) Core Stabilization Exercises: Bridge Exercise (3 sets × 10-15 reps) Dead Bug Exercise (3 sets × 10 reps per side) Modalities: Hot Pack (15-20 mins) for relaxation before therapy TENS (10 mins) for pain relief before mobilization; Other Names: Manual Therapy (Group B)

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
To assess the change in pain intensity	Pain intensity will be measured using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), a 10-centimeter scale ranging from 0 to 10, where 0 indicates no pain and 10 indicates the worst imaginable pain. Higher scores represent worse outcomes. Pain levels will be assessed from baseline to the end of the intervention period.	6 Months

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Disability score	Disability will be assessed using the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), a 0-100 scale, to evaluate the degree of functional limitation in daily activities.	6months

Other Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
lumbar range of motion	Range of motion will be evaluated using goniometric measurements to assess changes in lumbar flexion and extension.	6 months

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Riphah International University
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Dr.Nadeem Ahmad, MS, Riphah international University Malakand Campus

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): February 17, 2025
• Primary Completion (Estimated): April 17, 2027
• Study Completion (Estimated): April 17, 2027

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: April 24, 2025
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: April 24, 2025
• First Posted (Actual): May 2, 2025

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): May 25, 2025
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: May 21, 2025
• Last Verified: May 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Low Back Pain
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Pain; Neurologic Manifestations; Back Pain; Low Back Pain
• Other Study ID Numbers: REC01010SANA HAYAT

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No