Physiotherapy exercises for low back pain: process and clinical outcome

Abstract

This study was designed to assess whether physiotherapy exercises administered for low back pain have the physiological effects that they purport to have (increase spinal mobility and muscle strength) and whether these effects are of clinical relevance (related to changes in pain and function). Thirty-six patients were allocated to three treatment conditions, mobilizing exercises, isometric exercises or an attention-placebo control procedure. The results did not support the hypotheses concerning the effects of physiotherapy exercises, and hence challenge widely held views concerning the mechanism by which some patients suffering from low back pain improve whilst undergoing physiotherapy exercises.