Muscle energy technique in patients with acute low back pain: a pilot clinical trial.
METHODS
A prospective, pilot clinical trial.


OBJECTIVE
Examining the outcomes of Muscle Energy Technique (MET) in patients with acute low back pain.


BACKGROUND
MET is commonly used to treat patients with acute low back pain. No randomized controlled trials examining the outcomes of this treatment in symptomatic populations has been reported in the literature.


METHODS
Ten men and 9 women diagnosed with acute low back pain were randomly assigned with stratification to 1 of 2 treatment groups. Patients were matched according to age, gender, and initial Oswestry score. The control group received supervised neuromuscular re-education and resistance training while the experimental group received the same exercises coupled with MET. Both groups received the selected treatment 8 times over a 4-week period (2 times per week). Patients completed an Oswestry Disability Index on their first and eighth visits and change scores were calculated.


RESULTS
A 2-tailed t test (P < .05) demonstrated a statistically significant difference with the experimental group showing greater improvement in the Oswestry Disability Index score than the control group.


CONCLUSIONS
MET combined with supervised motor control and resistance exercises may be superior to neuromuscular re-education and resistance training for decreasing disability and improving function in patients with acute low back pain.
Wilson
Eric
E
Cadet Physical Therapy Clinic, 10th Medical Group, United States Air Force Academy, CO 80840-2502, USA. jdjewilson@adelphia.net
Payton
Otto
O
Donegan-Shoaf
Lisa
L
Dec
Katherine
K
D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000145:classification*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D008297:Male; D008349:Manipulation, Orthopedic; D008875:Middle Aged; D009048:Motor Skills; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome