title: A Comparison of the Effects of Pilates and McKenzie Training on Pain and General Health in Men with Chronic Low Back Pain: A Randomized Trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Today, chronic low back pain is one of the special challenges in healthcare. There is no unique approach to treat chronic low back pain. A variety of methods are used for the treatment of low back pain, but the effects of these methods have not yet been investigated adequately.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to compare the effects of Pilates and McKenzie training on pain and general health of men with chronic low back pain.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-six patients with chronic low back pain were chosen voluntarily and assigned to three groups of 12 each: McKenzie group, Pilates group, and control group. The Pilates group participated in 1-h exercise sessions, three sessions a week for 6 weeks. McKenzie group performed workouts 1 h a day for 20 days. The control group underwent no treatment. The general health of all participants was measured by the General Health Questionnaire 28 and pain by the McGill Pain Questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After therapeutic exercises, there was no significant difference between Pilates and McKenzie groups in pain relief (P= 0.327). Neither of the two methods was superior over the other for pain relief. However, there was a significant difference in general health indexes between Pilates and McKenzie groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Pilates and McKenzie training reduced pain in patients with chronic low back pain, but the Pilates training was more effective to improve general health.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical-surgical Nursing, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran.
authors.forename: Ali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hasanpour-Dehkordi
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Education, Sama Technical and Vocational Training College, Islamic Azad University, Shahrekord, Iran.
authors.forename: Arman
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dehghani
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran.
authors.forename: Kamal
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Solati
keywords: Chronic back pain; Mckenzie training; Pilates training; general health; pain