Effectiveness of the McKenzie Treatment Protocol booklet for the patients suffering with Lumbar Spondylolisthesis: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Abstract

Background: Lumbar spondylolisthesis is a condition characterized by the anterior slippage of one vertebral body over another, often leading to mechanical instability and pain. Congenital abnormalities, degenerative alterations, trauma and stress fractures are some of the causes of this disorder. The L4-L5 and L5-S1 levels of the spine are where it is most frequently seen. Nowadays it was a major problem in our country which has a tendency to recurrent injury where Mckenzie flexion exercise seems to be effective to prevent recurrency. Objectives: The objectives of this study to evaluate e the effectiveness of a booklet on Mckenzie treatment protocol for Lumber Spondylolisthesis (LS) patients. Methodology: Experimental study design was used in this study. 30 patients with Lumber Spondylolisthesis were randomly allocated into two groups from outdoor musculoskeletal unit, CRP. Among them 15 patients were assigned into experimental group received Mckenzie treatment protocol booklet with conventional physiotherapy and another 15 into control group received only conventional physiotherapy. Total treatment sessions were 4 weeks. Double blinding procedure was used during data collection. Outcome measurement tools: Visual Analog Scale (VAS) was used to measure pain intensity and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) used to measure functional disability. Analysis of data: Inferential statistics such as Mann-Whitney U test for between groups ODI, Unpaired t test for between groups VAS, Paired t test for within group VAS and Wilcoxon test was done for within group ODI using SPSS version 25. Results: It was found that pain intensity had reduced and functional disability improved both between and within group. Conclusion: Mckenzie treatment protocol booklet along with conventional physiotherapy has the ability to improve the effects than only conventional physiotherapy in Lumber Spondylolisthesis patients. This exercise proved beneficial when combined with conventional physiotherapy to minimize disability level and prevent recurrence, reduction of pain and improvement of function. Keywords: Lumber Spondylolisthesis, McKenzie treatment protocol booklet and Conventional physiotherapy.