Table 3.
Outcomes at three months after randomisation. Values are mean differences compared with control group (95% confidence intervals) and P values, unless stated otherwise
| Outcomes | Mean (SD) control (Alexander technique factor)* | Mean difference compared with control, P value | Mean (SD) control (exercise factor*) | Mean difference compared with control: exercise | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Massage | 6 lessons in Alexander technique | 24 lessons in Alexander technique | ||||
| Primary outcomes | ||||||
| Roland disability score† (n=469) | 9.34 (4.76) | -1.96 (-0.74 to 3.18), P=0.002 | -1.71 (-2.95 to -0.47), P=0.007 | -2.91 (-4.16 to 1.66), P<0.001 | 8.35 (4.75) | -0.90 (-1.76 to 0.04), P=0.04 |
| Median (95% CI) No of days with back pain in past 4 weeks (n=405)‡ | 24 (21 to 27) | -13 (-18 to -8), P<0.001 | -11 (-16 to -6), P<0.001 | -16 (-21 to -11) P<0.001 | 17 (15 to 19) | -6 (-9 to -3), P<0.001 |
| Secondary outcomes | ||||||
| SF-36: quality of life physical§ (n=403) | 54.9 (16.5) | 2.57 (-2.20 to 7.34), P=0.290 | 4.39 (-0.40 to 9.19), P=0.072 | 7.5 (2.60 to 12.4), P=0.003 | 56.6 (16.5) | 3.0 (-0.22 to 6.23), P=0.068 |
| SF-36: quality of life mental§ (n=398) | 62.5 (17.3) | -0.37 (-5.37 to 4.64), P=0.886 | 2.88 (-2.18 to 7.94), P=0.264 | 3.36 (-1.82 to 8.53), P=0.203 | 62.5 (17.2) | 4.04 (0.65 to 7.43), P=0.020 |
| Modified enablement scale¶ (n=386) | 3.78 (1.15) | 1.43 (1.10 to 1.76), P<0.001 | 1.45 (1.11 to 1.80), P<0.001 | 1.82 (1.47 to 2.16), P<0.001 | 4.80 (1.15) | 0.41 (0.17 to 0.64), P=0.001 |
| Von Korff overall** (n=412): | 3.89 (1.71) | -0.13 (-0.60 to 0.35), P=0.597 | -0.18 (-0.66 to 0.30), P=0.462 | -0.47 (-0.96 to 0.02), P=0.061 | 3.83 (1.70) | -0.26 (-0.59 to 0.07), P=0.126 |
| Von Korff disability†† | 3.27 (1.90) | 0.00 (-0.51 to 0.52), P=0.993 | 0.00 (-0.52 to 0.52), P=0.990 | -0.22 (-0.74 to 0.31), P=0.170 | 3.33 (1.90) | -0.25 (-0.61 to 0.11), P=0.170 |
| Von Korff pain†† | 4.62 (1.85) | -0.41 (-0.91 to 0.09), P=0.110 | -0.48 (-0.98 to 0.028), P=0.064 | -0.75 (-1.26 to -0.24), P=0.004 | 4.39 (1.84) | -0.32 (-0.66 to 0.03), P=0.074 |
| Deyo troublesomeness‡‡ (n=449) | 3.09 (0.72) | -0.22 (-0.41 to -0.03), P=0.026 | -0.20 (-0.40 to 0.01), P=0.039 | -0.33 (-0.52 to -0.13), P=0.001 | 2.98 (0.72) | -0.11 (-0.24 to 0.02), P=0.103 |
| Health transition§§ (n=433) | 3.84(0.91) | -0.94 (-1.19 to -0.70), P<0.001 | -0.81 (-1.06 to -0.56), P<0.001 | -1.10 (-1.36 to -0.85), P<0.001 | 3.23 (0.91) | -0.22 (-0.39 to -0.05), P=0.013 |
| Fear avoidance for physical activity (n=404)¶¶ | 14.2 (5.0) | -0.58 (-2.0 to 0.86), P=0.432 | -0.80 (-2.25 to 0.64), P=0.276 | -1.93 (-3.41 to -0.45), P=0.011 | 14.3 (5.0) | -2.70 (-3.68 to -1.72), P<0.001 |
| Back health (n=407)*** | 3.35 (1.40) | 1.56 (1.16 to 1.96), P<0.001 | 1.48 (1.08 to 1.89), P<0.001 | 1.84 (1.43 to 2.25), P<0.001 | 4.33 (1.40) | 0.53 (0.26 to 0.80), P<0.001 |
*Effects in each factor are mutually controlled for other factor. Thus the control group for each factor are those that did not receive interventions for that factor. Interventions for each factor are expressed as estimated difference compared with control group with 95% confidence intervals. For example, control group had mean Roland score of 9.34, and massage groups had mean Roland score 1.96 lower than control group when adjusted for effect of exercise.
†Number of activities affected by back pain; 28=worst 0=best.
‡As a result of an administrative error at baseline, not all patients had a questionnaire containing question for days in pain at baseline, so model for days in pain does not include baseline values.
§0=worst, 100=best.
¶Mean of six items; 0=worst 6=best.
**Mean of six items; 10=worst 0=best.
††Mean of three items; 10=worst 0=best.
‡‡Mean of three items; 5=worst, 1=best.
§§Back pain changed; 7=vastly worsened, 4=no change, 1=completely recovered.
¶¶Sum of four items; 24=worst, 0=best.
***Mean of four items; 0=worst 6=best.