The effect of motor control exercise versus placebo in patients with chronic low

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The effect of motor control exercise versus placebo in patients with

chronic low back pain

http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2474/6/54/abstract

G Maher , Jane Latimer , W Hodges , M Refshauge ,

Lorimer G Moseley , D Herbert , Leonardo O P Costa and

McAuley

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders 2005

Published 4 November 2005

Abstract (provisional)

Background

While one in ten Australians suffer from chronic low back pain this

condition remains extremely difficult to treat. Many contemporary

treatments are of unknown value. One potentially useful therapy is

the use of motor control exercise. This therapy has a biologically

plausible effect, is readily available in primary care and it is of

modest cost. However, to date, the efficacy of motor control exercise

has not been established.

Methods

This paper describes the protocol for a clinical trial comparing the

effects of motor control exercise versus placebo in the treatment of

chronic non-specific low back pain. One hundred and fifty-four

participants will be randomly allocated to receive an 8-week program

of motor control exercise or placebo (detuned short wave and detuned

ultrasound). Measures of outcomes will be obtained at follow-up

appointments at 2, 6 and 12 months after randomisation. The primary

outcomes are: pain, global perceived effect and patient-generated

measure of disability at 2 months and recurrence at 12 months. This

trial will be the first placebo-controlled trial of motor control

exercise. The results will inform best practice for treating chronic

low back pain and prevent its occurrence.