title: A comparison of mckenzie therapy with electrophysical agents for the treatment of work related low back pain: A randomized controlled trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Chronic low back pain (LBP) is a major public health problem in industrialized countries and is one of the most common reasons for seeking healthcare. Although the McKenzie therapy is widely used for the treatment of low back pain, there is evidence for no improvement with exercise in short-, intermediate-, or long-term outcomes of pain relief or function. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of the McKenzie therapy with electrophysical agents (EPAs) in patients with chronic LBP.
  
  
  METHODS
  A randomized controlled comparative trial with a 3-month follow-up period was conducted between January 2009 and June 2012. 271 patients with chronic LBP, (more than three months duration of symptoms) were randomized into two groups: the McKenzie therapy group (n=134), and electrophysical agents group, (n=137). The treatment period of both groups was 4 weeks at an outpatient clinic. Clinical outcomes (pain intensity, trunk flexion range of motion, and disability) were obtained at follow-up appointments at the end of the treatment period, 2 and 3 months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Significant improvement of spinal motion, reduction of pain and disability were demonstrated in both groups but the results show the greater improvement in the McKenzie group (p< 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  McKenzie therapy reduces pain, and disability, among subjects with chronic LBP. This study revealed that the McKenzie therapy is more effective than EPAs group.
authors.affiliation: Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Clinic, University Clinical Center of Kosovo, Prishtina, Republic of Kosovo.
authors.forename: Ardiana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Murtezani
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, University Clinical Center of Kosovo, Prishtina, Republic of Kosovo.
authors.forename: Valbona
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Govori
authors.affiliation: Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Clinic, University Clinical Center of Kosovo, Prishtina, Republic of Kosovo.
authors.forename: Vjollca Sahatçiu
authors.initials: VS
authors.lastname: Meka
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Prishtina-Kosovo, Prishtina, Republic of Kosovo.
authors.forename: Zana
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Ibraimi
authors.affiliation: Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Clinic, University Clinical Center of Kosovo, Prishtina, Republic of Kosovo.
authors.forename: Shkurta
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rrecaj
authors.affiliation: National Institute of Public Health of Kosovo, Faculty of Medicine, University of Prishtina-Kosovo, Prishtina, Republic of Kosovo.
authors.forename: Sanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gashi
mesh_terms: D059350:Chronic Pain / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006358:Hot Temperature / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000534:rehabilitation; D014464:Ultrasonic Therapy; D064232:Visual Analog Scale
keywords: Low back pain; McKenzie therapy; electrophysical agents; randomized controlled trial