Use the Back button in your browser to see the other results of your search or to select another record.

Detailed Search Results

The long-term effects of naprapathic manual therapy on back and neck pain -- results from a pragmatic randomized controlled trial
Skillgate E, Bohman T, Holm LW, Vingard E, Alfredsson L
BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders 2010 Feb 5;11(26):Epub
clinical trial
7/10 [Eligibility criteria: Yes; Random allocation: Yes; Concealed allocation: Yes; Baseline comparability: Yes; Blind subjects: No; Blind therapists: No; Blind assessors: No; Adequate follow-up: Yes; Intention-to-treat analysis: Yes; Between-group comparisons: Yes; Point estimates and variability: Yes. Note: Eligibility criteria item does not contribute to total score] *This score has been confirmed*

BACKGROUND: Back and neck pain are very common, disabling and recurrent disorders in the general population and the knowledge of long-term effect of treatments are sparse. The aim of this study was to compare the long-term effects (up to one year) of naprapathic manual therapy and evidence-based advice on staying active regarding non-specific back and/or neck pain. Naprapathy, a health profession mainly practiced in Sweden, Finland, Norway and in the USA, is characterized by a combination of manual musculoskeletal manipulations, aiming to decrease pain and disability in the neuromusculoskeletal system. METHODS: Subjects with non-specific pain/disability in the back and/or neck lasting for at least two weeks (n = 409), recruited at public companies in Sweden, were included in this pragmatic randomized controlled trial. The two interventions compared were naprapathic manual therapy such as spinal manipulation/mobilization, massage and stretching (index group) and advice to stay active and on how to cope with pain, provided by a physician (control group). Pain intensity, disability and health status were measured by questionnaires. RESULTS: 89% completed the 26-week follow-up and 85% the 52-week follow-up. A higher proportion in the index group had a clinically important decrease in pain (risk difference (RD) 21%, 95% CI 10 to 30) and disability (RD 11%, 95% CI 4 to 22) at 26-week, as well as at 52-week follow-ups (pain RD 17%, 95% CI 7 to 27 and disability RD 17%, 95% CI 5 to 28). The differences between the groups in pain and disability considered over one year were statistically significant favoring naprapathy (p < 0.005). There were also significant differences in improvement in bodily pain and social function (subscales of SF-36 health status) favoring the index group. CONCLUSIONS: Combined manual therapy, like naprapathy, is effective in the short and in the long term, and might be considered for patients with non-specific back and/or neck pain. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN56954776.

Full text (sometimes free) may be available at these link(s):      help