Comparative effect of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation and Mckenzie method on pain in non- specific low back pain among University population

Abstract

Background of the study: One of the factors leading to non-specific low back pain among University students and staff is prolonged sitting. Exercise therapy is one of the mainstays in the management of non-specific low back pain. One of the most common exercise therapy for non-specific low back pain is the McKenzie method, whereas the Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) exercise is seldom been used to treat non-specific low back pain cases. Objective: The purpose of the study was to find the effectiveness PNF and McKenzie method on non-specific low back pain among University population. Methods: A randomized clinical trial involving 36 subjects (students and staffs) from the University population. The subjects were randomly chosen and assigned to three treatment groups: PNF group, McKenzie group and control group (hot pack and educational home exercise sheet) which underwent 12 treatment sessions distributed over three times in a week for four weeks duration. Subjects were measured on pain score using visual analogue scale. Measurement was performed at three points: pretest, mid-test and post-test. Repeated measures ANOVA were used to analyse the difference within each group and ANOVA used between the groups in order to find and compare the effectiveness of three treatments. Result: This study showed that there was significant mean difference between PNF and McKenzie method on pain score (p <0.05) after 4 weeks. Conclusion: The study findings showed that PNF exercise has more effect than McKenzie method on reduction of pain among non-specific low back pain among University population.

The Effect of a Course of Swiss Ball Training and Ear Acupuncture on Pain and Endurance of Trunk Muscles in People with Low Back Pain

“…Moreover, 80% of lower back pains are muscular in nature and can be corrected with strengthening exercises in the abdomen and lower back. It is thought that with strength training, the strength and function of the connective tissue around the joint of these patients were improved, while pain and imbalance decreased (13).…”