The effect of the Alexander Technique on pain intensity in patients with chronic low back pain: A randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Objective: The present study was performed to determine the effect of the Alexander Technique on the intensity of pain in patients with chronic low back pain (LBP).

Methods: This study is a clinical trial that was performed on 80 patients with chronic LBP in Kashan, Iran. Participants were randomly assigned in control and intervention groups. To assess the participants' LBP, a visual analog scale of pain (VAS-Pain) was completed by both groups. In the intervention group, in addition to routine care for LBP patients, the Alexander Technique was performed in three 60-min sessions per week for 12 weeks. The control group participants received routine care for LBP patients. The two groups completed the VAS-Pain scale immediately after and one month after the intervention.

Results: The results showed that there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of demographic characteristics and mean pain intensity score before the intervention (p > 0.05). Immediately after and then one month after the intervention, there was statistically significant differences between the two groups regarding the mean scores of pain (p < 0.05). The results of repeated measures ANOVA showed that, in the intervention group, the mean score of pain had decreased over time (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: The results of the present study showed that the Alexander Technique was effective in reducing the intensity of pain among the participants. We recommend the Alexander Technique as a useful and effective intervention for reducing chronic LBP.

Keywords: Alexander technique; Chronic low back pain; Complementary therapies.