Effectiveness of Slump Stretching in Comparison to Conventional Physiotherapy in Treatment of Subacute Non-radicular Low Back Pain

Background and Purpose

There is established literature available for the efficacy of conventional physiotherapy and slump stretching in the management of low back pain. However, there is lack of consensus in the literature regarding the combined effectiveness of slump stretching with conventional physiotherapy as a comprehensive physiotherapy treatment approach in improving pain and disability in patients with subacute non radicular low back pain.The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of additional slump stretching with conventional physiotherapy in improving pain and disability in patients with subacute non radicular LBP.

Subjects

The study participants were 30 adults (11 males and 19 females) who were 18 to 60 years of age and had a diagnosis of non radicular LBP and unilateral referred pain in lower extremity.

Methods

Both groups received a 4 week intervention. Pain and disability scores were measured at the baseline, at the end of 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th week with a visual analogue scale and Modified Oswestry disability index respectively. Follow up was taken at the end of 5th week. Differences between the treatment groups in pain and disability were compared over time by using t test.

Results

Following both interventions, there was a significant reduction in the pain scores for both groups. No significant differences between the 2 interventions in disability was found. Conclusion The results indicate that combination of slump stretching and conventional physiotherapy is more effective than conventional physiotherapy alone in reducing pain in patients with non-radicular subacute LBP. Though there is no significant difference in disability parameter between the groups till 4 weeks, the group receiving slump stretching shows recovery by 5th week.