Date of Award

2001

Document Type

Scholarly Project

Degree Name

Master of Physical Therapy (MPT)

Department

Physical Therapy

First Advisor

Renee Mabey

Keywords

Cost-Benefit Analysis; Physical Therapy; Treatment Outcome

Abstract

Effective research and outcome studies are currently lacking evidence to support the use and reimbursement of manual therapy interventions such as McKenzie techniques and Mulligan mobilizations. The purpose of this study was to compare the cost-effectiveness, efficiency, and outcomes of McKenzie techniques and McKenzie techniques with Mulligan mobilization on the treatment of patients with low back derangement through performing a chart review. Twenty-two subjects with a diagnosis of low back derangement were included in this study with sixteen subjects in the McKenzie group and six subjects in the McKenzie with Mulligan mobilizations group. An independent sample T -test showed no significant difference for age, total treatment costs, average cost per PT treatment, duration of PT services, number of PT treatments, initial and final pain level ratings, number of modalities used, initial and final ADL abilities, and for initial and final functional abilities. Subjective rating of percent improvement was the only category indicating a significant difference between the intervention groups (p< .05). Although there was only one indicator found to be significantly different, two major trends were observed: 1) the McKenzie group appeared to be more cost effective and efficient compared to the McKenzie with Mulligan mobilization group. 2) The McKenzie with Mulligan mobilization group averaged slightly lower pain ratings at discharge, significantly higher subjective percent improvement, and slightly higher ADL and functional ability scores at discharge.

Download
COinS