The Comparative Effects of McKenzie Technique versus Swiss Ball Exercises Along with Hot Pack in Patients with Low Back Pain

Objective: To compare the effects of the McKenzie technique with Swiss ball exercises for low back pain management.Study Design: Quasi-experimental study.Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted at the Department of Physical Therapy Patel Hospital Karachi, Pakistan, from May 2018 to November 2018.Materials and Methods: A total number of 50 patients with low back pain from the age of 18-40 years were included in the study. Research participants were divided into 2 groups. Group A comprised 25 participants who performed the McKenzie exercises and Group B comprised 25 participants who performed the Swiss ball exercises. In both groups, a heating pad was applied for 20 minutes before exercise interventions. Research participants were evaluated from a numeric rating scale and the Oswestry disability index questionnaire. Data were analyzed by SPSS version 21.Result: The results showed there is a significant effect of McKenzie Exercises in the management of low back pain; the results were evaluated by the differences in the numeric rating scale (P= 0.016) and the Oswestry disability index (P= 0.026) between Pre and Post application of the intervention. The McKenzie numeric rating scale pretreatment mean is 4.48 with(S.D+0.58), the numeric rating scale post-treatment mean is 2.84 with (S.D +1.625), and the McKenzie pretreatment Oswestry disability index mean is 24.87 with (S.D +24.87) and post-treatment Oswestry disability index mean is 16.96 with (S.D +16.96).Conclusion: McKenzie’s technique showed a more beneficial effect than the Swiss ball exercises in patients with low back pain.