2025 Volume 16 Issue 5 Pages 803-812
Introduction: This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of McKenzie method (mechanical diagnosis and therapy [MDT]) for chronic low back pain.
Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study. A total of 410 patients, who had low back pain for >3 months and received outpatient treatment at our hospital, participated. The subjects were divided into two groups based on the presence (MDT [+] group, n = 238) or absence (MDT [−] group, n = 172) of MDT, as well as stretching and trunk muscle exercise in exercise therapy. Results were compared at 1 and 3 months after the exercise therapy between the two groups using the visual analog scale (VAS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and Japanese Orthopaedic Association Back Pain Evaluation Questionnaire (JOABPEQ) for low back pain and its symptoms.
Results: Both groups had better scores of VAS, ODI, and JOABPEQ at 1 and 3 months post-treatment than pretreatment. The MDT (+) groups had notably higher increased score of walking ability in JOABPEQ than the MDT (−) group at 1 and 3 months post-treatment.
Conclusions: MDT considerably improved the walking ability within a short duration, suggesting that MDT might be useful for improving the quality of life in patients with chronic low back pain.
