McKenzie vs Manual Therapy for Low Back Pain (LowBackpain)

May 21, 2025 updated by: Riphah International University

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

Intervention / Treatment

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

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Contact Backup

Study Locations

  • Pakistan
    • KPK
      • Malakand, KPK, Pakistan, 23060
        • Recruiting
        • Riphah international University Malakand
        • Contact:

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

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

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

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

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
Time Frame: 6 Months
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
Time Frame: 6months
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
Time Frame: 6 months
Range of motion will be evaluated using goniometric measurements to assess changes in lumbar flexion and extension.
6 months

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Riphah International University

Investigators

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

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

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

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

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

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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