title: A randomized controlled trial comparing McKenzie therapy and motor control exercises on the recruitment of trunk muscles in people with chronic low back pain: a trial protocol.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate if McKenzie exercises when applied to a cohort of patients with chronic LBP who have a directional preference demonstrate improved recruitment of the transversus abdominis compared to motor control exercises when measurements were assessed from ultrasound images.
  
  
  METHODS
  A randomized blinded trial with a 12-month follow-up.
  
  
  METHODS
  The Physiotherapy department of Concord Hospital a primary health care environment.
  
  
  METHODS
  70-adults with greater than three-month history of LBP who have a directional preference.
  
  
  METHODS
  McKenzie techniques or motor control exercises for 12-sessions over eight weeks.
  
  
  METHODS
  Transversus abdominus thickness measured from real time ultrasound images, pain, global perceived effect and capacity to self-manage.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study will be the first to investigate the possible mechanism of action that McKenzie therapy and motor control exercises have on the recruitment of the transversus abdominus in a cohort of low back pain patients sub-classified with a directional preference. Patients receiving matched exercises according to their directional preference are believed to have better outcomes than those receiving unmatched exercises. A better understanding of the mechanism of action that specific treatments such as motor control exercises or McKenzie exercises have on patients classified with a directional preference will allow therapist to make a more informed choice about treatment options.
authors.affiliation: Physiotherapy Department, Concord Repatriation General Hospital, Hospital Rd., Concord, NSW 2139, Australia. Electronic address: mark.halliday@sswahs.nsw.gov.au.
authors.forename: Mark H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Halliday
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health Sciences, The University of Sydney, 75 East St., Lidcombe, NSW 1825, Australia.
authors.forename: Paulo H
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Ferreira
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Balaclava Rd., North Ryde, NSW 2113, Australia.
authors.forename: Mark J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Hancock
authors.affiliation: Physiotherapy Private Practice, 24/272 Pacific Highway, Crows Nest 2065, Australia.
authors.forename: Helen A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Clare
mesh_terms: D000009:Abdominal Muscles / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000502:physiology*; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000502:physiology*; D012107:Research Design; D014463:Ultrasonography
keywords: Low back pain; McKenzie; Muscle; Protocol; Recruitment; Ultrasound