Comparison of spinal manipulation methods and usual medical care for acute and subacute low back pain: A randomized clinical trial
Spine
In this comparative effectiveness trial, 107 adults with acute low back pain (LBP) were randomized to receive manual-thrust manipulation (MTM), mechanical-assisted manipulation (MAM) and usual medical care (UMC). The participants in the two manipulation groups were treated twice weekly for four weeks, while the subjects who received UMC were seen three times in four weeks. Linear regression showed a statistically significant advantage of MTM at four weeks compared with MAM and UMC. Responder analysis, defined as 30% and 50% reductions in Oswestry LBP Disability Index scores, revealed a significantly greater proportion of responders in the MTM group compared with the MAM and UMC groups. Similar between-group results were found for pain. No statistically significant group differences were found between MAM and UMC or for any comparison at three or six months … ABSTRACT