McKenzie training in patients with early stages of ankylosing spondylitis: results of a 24-week controlled study

52 patients with early stage axial ankylosing spondylitis were randomized to receive 24 weeks of either McKenzie kinetic training or standard kinetic exercises. The goal of this study was to determine if McKenzie method intervention offered any significant benefits in pain, spine flexibility, and disease activity, function, and metrology when compared to a standard, multimodal exercise program. The results demonstrated a significant difference in favor of McKenzie treatment for all outcomes at 24 weeks when compared to the control group.