STUDY DESIGN: Randomized, single-blind, controlled trial. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy of the arthrokinematic approach (AKA)-hakata (H) method for chronic low back pain. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: The AKA-H method is used to manually treat abnormalities of intra-articular movement. METHODS: One hundred eighty-six patients with chronic nonspecific low back pain randomly received either the AKA-H method (AKA-H group) or the sham technique (S group) monthly for 6 months. Data were collected at baseline and once a month. Outcome measures were pain intensity (visual analogue scale (VAS)) and quality of life (the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (RDQ) and Short Form SF-36 questionnaire (SF-36)). RESULTS: At baseline, the VAS, RDQ, and SF-36 scores showed similar levels between the groups. After 6 months, the AKA-H group had more improvement in the VAS (42.8% improvement) and RDQ score (31.1% improvement) than the sham group (VAS: 10.4% improvement; RDQ: 9.8% improvement; both, p < 0.001). The respective scores for the SF-36 subscales (physical functioning, role physical, bodily pain, social functioning, general health perception, role emotional, and mental health) were also significantly more improved in the AKA-H group than in the sham group (all, p < 0.001). The scores for the physical, psychological, and social aspects of the SF-36 subscales showed similar improvement in the AKA-H group. CONCLUSION: The AKA-H method can be effective in managing chronic low back pain. TRIAL REGISTRATION: UMIN Clinical Trials Registry (UMIN-CTR) UMIN000006250.

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