Browder DA, Childs JD, Cleland JA, Fritz JM
The purpose of this multicenter randomized clinical trial was to examine the effectiveness of an extension-oriented treatment approach (EOTA) in a subgroup of subjects with low back pain (LBP) who were hypothesized to benefit from the treatment compared with similar subjects who received a lumbar spine strengthening exercise program. Subjects with LBP and symptoms distal to the buttocks that centralized with extension movements were included. Forty-eight subjects were randomly assigned to groups that received an EOTA or a strengthening exercise program. Subjects attended 8 physical therapy sessions and completed a home exercise program. Follow-up data were obtained at 1 week, 4 weeks, and 6 months after randomization. Subjects in the EOTA group experienced greater improvements in disability compared with subjects who received trunk strengthening exercises. The EOTA group demonstrated greater change in pain at the 1-week follow-up only. The authors conclude that an EOTA was more effective than trunk strengthening exercise in a subgroup of subjects hypothesized to benefit from this treatment approach. Additional research is needed to explore whether an EOTA may benefit other subgroups of patients.
Physical Therapy, Sept 2007, online article ahead of print.