Comparative effectiveness of Chuna manual therapy versus conventional usual care for non-acute low back pain: a pilot randomized controlled trial

60 patients with non-acute lower back pain were randomized to receive Chuna manual therapy (CMT), usual care, or CMT plus usual care for the relief of lower back pain, and improvement of function and quality of life. The primary outcome of interest was lower back pain levels on a numerical rating scale (NRS). Noted secondary outcome measures included leg pain on an NRS and the Oswestry Disability Index, as well as lumbar range of motion in flexion. For the primary outcome, significant differences between groups were noted in both mean values and improvement in NRS back pain score at 6 weeks, both of which favoured the CMT alone group. NRS leg pain score and ODI scores did not demonstrate significant differences between the three groups.