Comparison of 2 Multimodal Interventions With and Without Whole Body Vibration Therapy Plus Traction on Pain and Disability in Patients With Nonspecific Chronic Low Back Pain.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this secondary data analysis was to compare the effect of 2 multimodal exercise-based physical therapy interventions (one with and one without whole-body vibration [WBV] therapy plus traction) on pain and disability in patients with nonspecific chronic low back pain (NSCLBP).

METHODS: We conducted a secondary analysis of data from 2 distinct samples. One sample was from the Focus on Therapeutic Outcomes Inc. (FOTO) group (n = 55, age 55.1 ± 19.0 years), and the other was the Illinois Back Institute (IBI) (n = 70, age 47.5 ± 13.4 years). Both groups of patients had NSCLBP for more than 3 months and a pain numeric rating scale (NRS) score of ≥7. Both groups received treatment consisting of flexibility or stretching exercises, core stability training, functional training, and postural exercises and strengthening exercises. However, the IBI group also received WBV plus traction. NSCLBP was measured before and after therapeutic trials using the NRS for pain and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI).

RESULTS: The NRS scores were significantly improved in both groups, decreasing by 2 points in the FOTO group and by 5 points in the IBI group. The ODI scores were significantly improved in both groups; the FOTO group score improved by 9 points and the IBI group improved by 22 points.

CONCLUSIONS: The results of this preliminary study suggest that NPS and ODI scores statistically improved for both NSCLBP groups receiving multimodal care. However, the group that included WBV therapy plus traction in combination with multimodal care had greater clinical results. This study had several limitations making it difficult to generalize the results from this study sample to the entire population.