The changes of functional disability in non-specific low back pain among University population after proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation and Mckenzie method

Abstract

Background of study: Non-specific low back pain (LBP) becomes the most common cases in University population. Prolonged sitting has been identified as one of the factors leading to non-specific LBP among University population. The purpose of the study is to identify the change of functional disability in non-specific LBP among university population after PNF and McKenzie method. Methods: A quasi-experimental study involving 36 subjects (students and office workers) from the university population. The study population were selected from students and office worker of KPJ Healthcare University College (KPJUC) who met the inclusion criteria. The subjects were divided into three treatment groups: PNF group, McKenzie group and control group (hot pack and educational home exercise sheet) which underwent 12 treatment sessions distributed over three times in a week for four weeks duration. Subjects were measured on functional disability by Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). Measurement was performed at pre-test, mid-test and post-test. Repeated measures ANOVA was used to analyse the effectiveness of PNF and McKenzie treatments based on the measurement time. Result: This study showed that the PNF and McKenzie gave effect in improving ODI score in within group analysis. However, the results of PNF showed that it has more effect than McKenzie method on functional disability score (p <0.05) after 4 weeks. Conclusion: There was a change in functional disability on non-specific LBP after PNF and McKenzie method. Furthermore, the study findings showed that the PNF exercise has more effect in improving functional disability compared to McKenzie method on non-specific LBP among university population