Four-year follow-up of surgical versus non-surgical therapy for chronic low back pain.

The objective of this study was to compare the long-term effectiveness of surgical and non-surgical treatment in patients with chronic low back pain. Two merged randomised clinical trials compared instrumented transpedicular fusion with cognitive intervention and exercises in 124 patients with disc degeneration and at least 1 year of symptoms after or without previous surgery [...]

Trunk muscle activity during lumbar stabilization exercises on both a stable and unstable surface.

The objectives of this study were to clarify whether differences in surface stability influence trunk muscle activity. Lumbar stabilization exercises on unstable surfaces are performed widely. One perceived advantage in performing stabilization exercises on unstable surfaces is the potential for increased muscular demand. However, there is little evidence in the literature to help establish whether [...]

The long-term effects of naprapathic manual therapy on back and neck pain – results from a pragmatic randomized controlled trial.

The aim of this study was to compare the long-term effects (up to one year) of naprapathic manual therapy and evidence-based advice on staying active regarding non-specific back and/or neck pain. Naprapathy, a health profession mainly practiced in Sweden, Finland, Norway and in the USA, is characterized by a combination of manual musculoskeletal manipulations, aiming [...]

A prospective study of mechanical physiotherapy for lumbar disk prolapse: five year follow-up and final report.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the long-term effect of a specific conservative treatment method for patients with lumbar disc prolapse. Background data: Low back pain and symptoms of disc herniation have a good prognosis. Yet the rates of disability and sick-leave because of recurrences are high and cost-intensive. Fifty consecutive patients with [...]

Treatment of chronic low back pain: a randomized, clinical trial comparing group-based multidisciplinary biopsychosocial rehabilitation and intensive individual therapist-assisted back muscle strengthening exercises.

The objective of this study was to compare the efficacies of 2 active therapies for chronic low back pain (CLBP). A total of 286 patients with CLBP were randomized to either a group-based 12-week program comprising 73 hours of therapist exposure (approximately 12 h/patient): 35 hours of hard physical exercise, 22 hours of light exercise/occupational [...]

Immediate effects of a high-velocity spine manipulation in paraspinal muscles activity of nonspecific chronic low-back pain subjects

High-velocity spinal manipulation is commonly adopted for treating chronic low-back pain (CLBP) and has been associated with changes in muscle activity, but the evidence is controversial. The aim of this study was to analyse the immediate effects of high-velocity spine manipulation on paraspinal activity during flexion–extension trunk movements. Forty nonspecific CLBP patients were randomised into [...]

Early rehabilitation targeting cognition, behavior, and motor function after lumbar fusion: a randomized controlled trial.

The objective of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of a psychomotor therapy focusing on cognition, behavior, and motor relearning compared with exercise therapy applied during the first 3 months after lumbar fusion. The study recruited 107 patients, aged 18 to 65 years, selected for lumbar fusion because of 12 months of symptomatic spinal [...]

Effectiveness of exercise on work disability in patients with non-acute non-specific low back pain: Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.

The objective of this study was to determine whether exercise is more effective than usual care to reduce work disability in patients with non-acute non-specific low back pain, and if so, to explore which type of exercise is most effective. A total of 23 trials met the inclusion criteria, 20 of which were suitable for [...]

Obesity and recovery from low back pain: a prospective study to investigate the effect of body mass index on recovery from low back pain.

This study describes a prospective cohort study to investigate any association between recovery from low back pain and body mass index (BMI) in patients with low back pain undergoing physiotherapy. A total of 140 patients with low back pain and no evidence of neurological deficit were divided into three groups based on their BMI. All [...]

Lumbar Spine Dysfunction – Blandford – 24th April

Aims: 1. To review anatomy and biomechanics of the lumbar spine to enable appropriate use of manual techniques. 2. To enable participants to use advanced handling skills in the examination of lumbar spine dysfunction. 3. To discuss the evidence base for the use of manual techniques in the management of low back pain. 4. To [...]

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