The effect of motor control exercise versus placebo in patients with chronic low back pain [ACTRN012605000262606].
BACKGROUND
While one in ten Australians suffer from chronic low back pain this condition remains extremely difficult to treat. Many contemporary treatments are of unknown value. One potentially useful therapy is the use of motor control exercise. This therapy has a biologically plausible effect, is readily available in primary care and it is of modest cost. However, to date, the efficacy of motor control exercise has not been established.


METHODS
This paper describes the protocol for a clinical trial comparing the effects of motor control exercise versus placebo in the treatment of chronic non-specific low back pain. One hundred and fifty-four participants will be randomly allocated to receive an 8-week program of motor control exercise or placebo (detuned short wave and detuned ultrasound). Measures of outcomes will be obtained at follow-up appointments at 2, 6 and 12 months after randomisation. The primary outcomes are: pain, global perceived effect and patient-generated measure of disability at 2 months and recurrence at 12 months.


CONCLUSIONS
This trial will be the first placebo-controlled trial of motor control exercise. The results will inform best practice for treating chronic low back pain and prevent its occurrence.
Maher
Chris G
CG
Back Pain Research Group, School of Physiotherapy, The University of Sydney, PO Box 170, Lidcombe, NSW, 1825, Australia. c.maher@fhs.usyd.edu.au
Latimer
Jane
J
Hodges
Paul W
PW
Refshauge
Kathryn M
KM
Moseley
G Lorimer
GL
Herbert
Robert D
RD
Costa
Leonardo O P
LO
McAuley
James
J
D002908:Chronic Disease; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D006801:Humans; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D009068:Movement; D012107:Research Design