Rachael Lowe

Rachael Lowe is Co-Founder and Executive Director of Physiopedia. A physiotherapist and technology specialist Rachael has been working with Physiopedia since 2008 to create a resource that provides universal access to physiotherapy knowledge as well as a platform for connecting and educating the global physiotherapy profession.

Unloaded Movement Facilitation Exercise Compared to No Exercise or Alternative Therapy on Outcomes for People with Nonspecific Chronic Low Back Pain: A Systematic Review

May 26, 2007 by Rachael Lowe

Susan C. Slade and Jennifer L. Keating

The purpose of this systematic review was to determine the effect of unloaded movement facilitation exercises on outcomes for people with nonspecific chronic low back pain (NSCLBP). Six high-quality randomized controlled trials were included which studied McKenzie therapy, intensive trunk strengthening, specific spinal stabilization exercises and Yoga. The authors concluded that for NSCLBP, there is strong evidence that unloaded movement facilitation exercise, compared to no exercise, improves pain and function. Compared to other types of exercise, including effort-intensive strengthening and time-intensive stabilization exercise, the effects are comparable. This challenges the role of strengthening for NSCLBP.

Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, 2007, 30, 4, 301-311

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