OBJECTIVE: To determine the effectiveness of a special form of exercise therapy ('Cesar therapy') on self reported recovery and improvement of posture amongst patients with chronic aspecific lower back pain. DESIGN: Prospective randomized controlled and blinded investigation. METHOD: After informed consent had been obtained, patients with chronic aspecific lower back pain were given, on a randomized basis, either an exercise therapy (experimental group, n = 112) or a standard treatment by their general practitioner (control group, n = 110). Outcome measures were self reported recovery of back pain and improvement of posture (thoracic and lumbar spine, pelvis). Self reported recovery was determined by means of a dichotomized 7-point scale (questionnaire). Posture was measured qualitatively by a panel of 11 Cesar therapists (blinded) and quantitatively by an optical-electronic posture recording system (Vicon). Measurements were taken at baseline (pre-randomization) and at 3, 6 and 12 months after randomization. RESULTS: Three months after randomization, patients who were treated according to Cesar therapy, reported an improvement in their back symptoms (80%) significantly more often than the control group (47%). In both groups, however, only small improvements in posture were found. The judgement of the Cesar panel exhibited a significant difference between the two groups, with respect to the spine, in favour of Cesar therapy. Differences between the groups were still present 6 months after randomization, but could no longer be detected at 12 months after randomization. CONCLUSION:Cesar therapy was significantly more effective than standard treatment among patients with chronic lower back pain for a period of 6 months after randomization.
RCT Entities:
OBJECTIVE: To determine the effectiveness of a special form of exercise therapy ('Cesar therapy') on self reported recovery and improvement of posture amongst patients with chronic aspecific lower back pain. DESIGN: Prospective randomized controlled and blinded investigation. METHOD: After informed consent had been obtained, patients with chronic aspecific lower back pain were given, on a randomized basis, either an exercise therapy (experimental group, n = 112) or a standard treatment by their general practitioner (control group, n = 110). Outcome measures were self reported recovery of back pain and improvement of posture (thoracic and lumbar spine, pelvis). Self reported recovery was determined by means of a dichotomized 7-point scale (questionnaire). Posture was measured qualitatively by a panel of 11 Cesar therapists (blinded) and quantitatively by an optical-electronic posture recording system (Vicon). Measurements were taken at baseline (pre-randomization) and at 3, 6 and 12 months after randomization. RESULTS: Three months after randomization, patients who were treated according to Cesar therapy, reported an improvement in their back symptoms (80%) significantly more often than the control group (47%). In both groups, however, only small improvements in posture were found. The judgement of the Cesar panel exhibited a significant difference between the two groups, with respect to the spine, in favour of Cesar therapy. Differences between the groups were still present 6 months after randomization, but could no longer be detected at 12 months after randomization. CONCLUSION: Cesar therapy was significantly more effective than standard treatment among patients with chronic lower back pain for a period of 6 months after randomization.
Authors: Steven J Kamper; Tasha R Stanton; Christopher M Williams; Christopher G Maher; Julia M Hush Journal: Eur Spine J Date: 2010-06-16 Impact factor: 3.134
Authors: Marienke van Middelkoop; Sidney M Rubinstein; Ton Kuijpers; Arianne P Verhagen; Raymond Ostelo; Bart W Koes; Maurits W van Tulder Journal: Eur Spine J Date: 2010-07-18 Impact factor: 3.134