Effects of Sustained Natural Apophyseal Glides with and without thoracic posture correction techniques on mechanical back pain: a randomized control trial

Abstract

Objective: To determine effectiveness of sustained natural apophyseal glides with and without thoracic postural correction techniques on patients of chronic mechanical low back pain .

Methods: The randomized control trial was conducted at the National Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine, Islamabad, Pakistan, from November 1, 2015, to January 31, 2016, and comprised females aged 20-60 years experiencing mechanical low back pain for more than 03 months. They were randomly assigned to two equal groups. Group 1 was given Mulligan sustained natural apophyseal glides mobilization, while group2 was given the same along with thoracic postural correction techniques for 4 weeks, 3 sessions per week and one session per day. Outcome measures included Numeric Pain Rating Scale, Oswestry Disability Index and Goniometry of Lumbar Range of Motion. Data was analysed using SPSS 20.

Results: Of the 40 patients, there were 20(50%) in each of the groups. Mean age of patients in group 1 was 41.30±10.45years, while in group 2 it was 35.12±9.04 years. Compared to the baseline readings, pain, functional independence and range of motion showed significant improvement (p<0.0001) postintervention in both groups. Mean scores in group 2 showed more improvement than group 1 (p<0.0001) in all variables.

Conclusions: The effectiveness of thoracic postural correction exercises along with sustained natural apophyseal glides was noted in patients with mechanical low back pain.

Keywords: Low back pain, Mulligan , Posture, SNAGS..