Date Log

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
Effects of the McKenzie Method Versus Guideline-Based Advice in the Management of Chronic Sciatic Pain in Elderly
Corresponding Author(s) : Jay Indravadan Patel
International Journal of Allied Medical Sciences and Clinical Research,
Vol. 13 No. 1 (2025): 2025 Volume -13 - Issue 1
Abstract
This study investigates the comparative effectiveness of the McKenzie Method versus guideline-based advice in the management of chronic sciatic pain among elderly patients. A total of 120 participants aged 65 years and older were enrolled in a randomized controlled trial to evaluate outcomes related to pain intensity, functional mobility, and quality of life. Pain was measured using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), functional mobility was assessed with the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and quality of life was evaluated through the Short Form Health Survey (SF-36).Statistical analyses revealed that the McKenzie Method significantly reduced VAS scores (45% improvement) compared to guideline-based advice (25% improvement, p < 0.01). Similarly, ODI scores improved by 30% in the McKenzie group versus 15% in the guideline group (p < 0.05). Quality of life domains, particularly physical and mental health, demonstrated superior gains in the McKenzie group. These findings suggest that the McKenzie Method is a more effective, targeted, and non-invasive intervention for managing chronic sciatic pain in the elderly. The study underscores the importance of individualized, evidence-based approaches in geriatric care and provides actionable insights for clinicians aiming to optimize patient outcomes.This study explores the comparative effectiveness of the McKenzie Method versus guideline-based advice in managing chronic sciatic pain in elderly individuals. It evaluates pain intensity, functional mobility, and quality of life among 120 elderly patients. The findings highlight that the McKenzie Method provides significant improvements in pain centralization and mobility compared to guideline-based advice, suggesting its value as a preferred intervention in geriatric care.
Keywords
Download Citation
Endnote/Zotero/Mendeley (RIS)BibTeX
- Donelson, R., Silva, G., & Murphy, K. (1990). Centralization phenomenon and its evaluation as an objective diagnostic and prognostic tool. Spine, 15(3), 211-221.
- Van Tulder, M., Malmivaara, A., & Koes, B. (2007). Relevance of the difference between actual and expected treatment response for evaluation for sciatica treatments. European Spine Journal, 16(11), 1739-45.
- Maher, C., Underwood, M., & Buchbinder, R. (2017). Non-specific low back pain. The Lancet, 389 (10070), 736-747.
- Cherkin, D. C., Sherman, K. J., Balderson, B. H., et al. (2009). Comparison of exercise, acupuncture, and spinal manipulation for chronic pain. Annals of Internal Medicine, 151(11), 687-696.
- Airaksinen, O., Brox, J. I., Cedraschi, C., et al. (2006). Chapter 4: European guidelines for the management of chronic nonspecific low back pain. European Spine Journal, 15(Suppl 2), S192-S300.
- Foster, N. E., Anema, J. R., Cherkin, D., et al. (2018). Prevention and treatment of low back pain: Evidence, challenges, and promising directions. The Lancet, 391(10137), 2368-2383.
- Petersen, T., Laslett, M., Juhl, C., & Vach, W. (2017). Clinical classification in low back pain: Best-evidence diagnostic rules based on systematic reviews. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, 18, 188.
- Costa, L. O. P., Maher, C. G., McAuley, J. H., et al. (2009). The prognosis for patients with chronic low back pain: Inception cohort study. BMJ, 339, b3829.
- Fairbank, J. C., &Pynsent, P. B. (2000). The Oswestry Disability Index. Spine, 25(22), 2940-2953.
- Roland, M., & Fairbank, J. (2000). The Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire and the Oswestry Disability Questionnaire. Spine, 25(24), 3115-3124.
- McKenzie, R. A. (1981). The Lumbar Spine: Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy. Waikanae: Spinal Publications New Zealand.
- Weinstein, J. N., Tosteson, T. D., Lurie, J. D., et al. (2006). Surgical versus nonoperative treatment for lumbar disc herniation: Four-year results for the Spine Patient Outcomes Research Trial (SPORT). Spine, 31(23), 2709-2718.
- Malmivaara, A., Häkkinen, U., Aro, T., et al. (1995). The treatment of acute low back painbed rest, exercises, or ordinary activity? New England Journal of Medicine, 332(6), 351-355.
- Hayden, J. A., van Tulder, M. W., Malmivaara, A., & Koes, B. W. (2005). Exercise therapy for treatment of non-specific low back pain. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 3, CD000335.
- Machado, L. A. C., de Souza, M. V., Ferreira, P. H., & Ferreira, M. L. (2006). The McKenzie method for low back pain: A systematic review of the literature with a meta-analysis approach. Spine, 31(9), E254-E262.
- Karjalainen, K., Malmivaara, A., van Tulder, M., et al. (2001). Multidisciplinary rehabilitation for fibromyalgia and musculoskeletal pain in working-age adults. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, CD002793.
- Hestbaek, L., Leboeuf-Yde, C., & Manniche, C. (2003). Low back pain: What is the long-term course? A review of studies of general patient populations. European Spine Journal, 12(2), 149-165.
- Deyo, R. A., & Weinstein, J. N. (2001). Low back pain. New England Journal of Medicine, 344(5), 363-370.
- Freburger, J. K., Holmes, G. M., Agans, R. P., et al. (2009). The rising prevalence of chronic low back pain. Archives of Internal Medicine, 169(3), 251-258.
- Enthoven, W. T. M., Geuze, J., Scheele, J., et al. (2016). Prevalence and 'red flags' regarding specified causes of back pain in older adults presenting in general practice. Age and Ageing, 45(6), 827-832.
References
Donelson, R., Silva, G., & Murphy, K. (1990). Centralization phenomenon and its evaluation as an objective diagnostic and prognostic tool. Spine, 15(3), 211-221.
Van Tulder, M., Malmivaara, A., & Koes, B. (2007). Relevance of the difference between actual and expected treatment response for evaluation for sciatica treatments. European Spine Journal, 16(11), 1739-45.
Maher, C., Underwood, M., & Buchbinder, R. (2017). Non-specific low back pain. The Lancet, 389 (10070), 736-747.
Cherkin, D. C., Sherman, K. J., Balderson, B. H., et al. (2009). Comparison of exercise, acupuncture, and spinal manipulation for chronic pain. Annals of Internal Medicine, 151(11), 687-696.
Airaksinen, O., Brox, J. I., Cedraschi, C., et al. (2006). Chapter 4: European guidelines for the management of chronic nonspecific low back pain. European Spine Journal, 15(Suppl 2), S192-S300.
Foster, N. E., Anema, J. R., Cherkin, D., et al. (2018). Prevention and treatment of low back pain: Evidence, challenges, and promising directions. The Lancet, 391(10137), 2368-2383.
Petersen, T., Laslett, M., Juhl, C., & Vach, W. (2017). Clinical classification in low back pain: Best-evidence diagnostic rules based on systematic reviews. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, 18, 188.
Costa, L. O. P., Maher, C. G., McAuley, J. H., et al. (2009). The prognosis for patients with chronic low back pain: Inception cohort study. BMJ, 339, b3829.
Fairbank, J. C., &Pynsent, P. B. (2000). The Oswestry Disability Index. Spine, 25(22), 2940-2953.
Roland, M., & Fairbank, J. (2000). The Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire and the Oswestry Disability Questionnaire. Spine, 25(24), 3115-3124.
McKenzie, R. A. (1981). The Lumbar Spine: Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy. Waikanae: Spinal Publications New Zealand.
Weinstein, J. N., Tosteson, T. D., Lurie, J. D., et al. (2006). Surgical versus nonoperative treatment for lumbar disc herniation: Four-year results for the Spine Patient Outcomes Research Trial (SPORT). Spine, 31(23), 2709-2718.
Malmivaara, A., Häkkinen, U., Aro, T., et al. (1995). The treatment of acute low back painbed rest, exercises, or ordinary activity? New England Journal of Medicine, 332(6), 351-355.
Hayden, J. A., van Tulder, M. W., Malmivaara, A., & Koes, B. W. (2005). Exercise therapy for treatment of non-specific low back pain. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 3, CD000335.
Machado, L. A. C., de Souza, M. V., Ferreira, P. H., & Ferreira, M. L. (2006). The McKenzie method for low back pain: A systematic review of the literature with a meta-analysis approach. Spine, 31(9), E254-E262.
Karjalainen, K., Malmivaara, A., van Tulder, M., et al. (2001). Multidisciplinary rehabilitation for fibromyalgia and musculoskeletal pain in working-age adults. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, CD002793.
Hestbaek, L., Leboeuf-Yde, C., & Manniche, C. (2003). Low back pain: What is the long-term course? A review of studies of general patient populations. European Spine Journal, 12(2), 149-165.
Deyo, R. A., & Weinstein, J. N. (2001). Low back pain. New England Journal of Medicine, 344(5), 363-370.
Freburger, J. K., Holmes, G. M., Agans, R. P., et al. (2009). The rising prevalence of chronic low back pain. Archives of Internal Medicine, 169(3), 251-258.
Enthoven, W. T. M., Geuze, J., Scheele, J., et al. (2016). Prevalence and 'red flags' regarding specified causes of back pain in older adults presenting in general practice. Age and Ageing, 45(6), 827-832.