Comparison of Mckenzie Extension Exercises verses Mulligan Sustained Natural Apophyseal Glides on Pain and Functional Outcomes in Patients with Acute Non-specific Low Back Pain

Author(s) : Dileep Kumar Lohana, Salwa Atta and Nida Akbar Rajput

Abstract:

Objective:
The objective of the study was to compare the effects of McKenzie Extension Exercises versus Mulligan Sustained Natural Apophyseal Glides on Pain and Functional outcomes in patients with Acute Non-Specific Low Back Pain.
Material and Methods:
Study design was experimental. 84 Patients were selected randomly through computer balloting and were allocated into group A and B. The questionnaire was based on two primary outcome measures i.e. Visual Analogue Scale for pain and Back performance scale for functional abilities. Patients were assessed by a research assessor at pre-treatment i.e. t0, mid treatment i.e. t1 and after treatment i.e. t2.
Results:
Mean age for patients in group A was found to be 41.97±8.16 and 45.02±7.29 for patients in group B. 45.24% were males and 54.76% were females. Pain score according to VAS was recorded to be 8 which significantly dropped to 4.02±0.80 and 4.12±0.76 (p=0.56 i.e. non-significant) in patients of group A and B respectively at mid treatment level. Moreover, pain was recorded to be 1.45± 0.50 and 1.43 ± 0.50 (p=0.81 i.e. non-significant) in group A and B respectively. Functional abilities measured by Back Performance Scale was found to be 5.02 ± 2.05 and 6.78 ± 3.3 at post treatment level (p=0.00). Back Performance Scale results at 8th week follow up for both groups were significant (p-value of 0.03) with values of 2.15 ± 1.64 and 3.16± 2.43 respectively.
Conclusion:
The present study concluded that McKenzie exercises and SNAGs both were equally effective in improving pain whereas McKenzie exercises improved Functional abilities better than SNAGs.

Key Words: Nonspecific Low back pain, McKenzie extension exercises, Mulligan SNAGs.