Effects of McGill stabilization exercises and conventional physiotherapy on pain, functional disability and active back range of motion in patients with chronic non-specific low back pain.
Arsalan Ghorbanpour, Mahmoud Reza Azghani, Mohammad Taghipour and 3 others
PMID 29706690WHAT IT FOUND
McGill and conventional physiotherapy were not shown to differ for pain, disability, or back range of motion.
McGill improved pain, disability, and extension; conventional improved only flexion.
Key findings
01The McGill programme of curl-up, side bridge, and bird dog improved pain, functional disability, and active back extension after six weeks.
02The conventional programme of single and double knee to chest, prone lying with pillow and one leg sliding, cycling in supine, and bridging improved active back flexion only; pain, functional disability, and extension did not show a clear change.
03The between-group comparison did not show a clear difference in pain, functional disability, or back range of motion, despite larger percentage improvements in the McGill group for pain, disability, and extension.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTs
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What it does not show
Only 30 patients were analysed, so the study may not detect a real difference between the programmes. Four patients dropped out, two from each group, and the stated reason was family-related problems. The study measured outcomes only at baseline and after the sixth week, so longer-term effects were not measured. Patients were adults aged 20 to 40 with non-radiating chronic low back pain and several exclusions, so results may not apply to older patients, athletes, or people with leg symptoms or neurological deficits. The between-group comparison was not statistically significant, so the larger percentage improvements in the McGill group do not prove superiority.
Declared interests
This research was supported by the Tabriz University of Medical Sciences. The authors declared no conflict of interest.
The easy way to misread this
Do not conclude McGill stabilization exercises are clearly better than conventional physiotherapy. The McGill group had larger percentage improvements, but the between-group differences were not statistically significant.