The approaches of frequent and infrequent application of chiropractic treatment : a study of their relative efficacy in the management of mechanical low back pain

Abstract

Variations in prescribed treatment frequencies have resulted from an absence of tested theory. In response to this, the objecti ve of this study was to compare the efficacy of once and three times weekly treatment frequencies in the management of mechanical low back pain. It was hypothesised that both treatment protocols would be effecti ve, but the three times weekly protocol was expected to be more effective. This randomised clinical trial consisted of experimental and descriptive survey design. Thirty voluntary subjects diagnosed as having facet syndrome, sacroiliac syndrome or a combination of these two were divided into two groups of fifteen and randomly allocated to each study group. Chiropractic treatment was administered, according to the allocated frequency, for a maximum of three weeks. The outcome measures included the response of patients to the NRS-lOl pain intensity scale, the Oswestry Back Disability Index, positive orthopaedic test scores and lumbar spine ranges of motion. Data was collected from these measurement criteria before the onset of treatment, at the end of the last treatment session, and at a follow up consultation one month after the last treatment.