EFFECTS OF ELDOA TECHNIQUE VERSUS MCKENZIE EXTENSION EXERCISES ON NON-SPECIFIC LOW BACK PAIN PATIENTS.: A RANDOMIZED CLINICAL TRIAL

Background: Low back pain may lead cause disability in the patients. There are several physical therapy protocols used to manage the low back pain including McKenzie exercises. The Elongation Longitudinaux Avec Decoaption Osteo Articulaire (ELDOVA) is novel techniques could help to reduce the pain and disability related to lower back problems. Objective: to determine the effects and compare the McKenzie extension exercise and ELDOA stretch in non-specific low back pain patients. Methodology: A randomized clinical trial was conducted at Railway General Hospital, Rawalpindi and Irada Rehabilitation Center, Buchal Kalan from October 2021 - December 2021. The female participants with the age range of 40-69 years and had chronic non-specific low back pain for more than 3 months were included in the study. The participants were randomly divided into group A which received McKenzie extension exercises while group B received ELDOA stretch. The patient’s outcome measures were assessed through Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), inclinometer for, flexi curve ruler for lordships angle, and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) for disability. MANCOVA test was used for controlling the covariates at baseline. Friedman with post hoc Wilcoxon test (non-parametric-within group analysis) for ODI variables RMANOVA was applied to observe pairwise changes with-in the groups for ODI total score, lordosis angle at baseline, and end of second, and fourth week of the treatment. NPRS and range of motion (extension, flexion) at pre and post treatment session. Results: The mean age of study participant was 44.29±3.08. Within group analysis showed that significant improvement (p<0.05) was observed in both groups regarding ODI total score, NPRS, Lordosis angle and range of motion (flexion, extension) from baseline to the end of 4th week and at each level of assessment. The group A (McKenzie extension exercises) was a significantly improved on the combined dependent variables as compared to group B (ELDOA stretch) after controlling for baseline values of BMI, NPRS, lordosis angle and ROMs, F (7, 34) = 55.12, p<0.001, Wilks' Λ=0.018, ηp2=0.49.Conclusion: McKenzie extension exercise showed better result in improving pain, range of motion, angle of lordosis and disability than ELDOA technique. Keywords: disability, low back pain, physical therapy, stretching exercises. ROM