Comparative effects of shockwave therapy and Maitland lumbar mobilization on pain, disability, and range of motion in patients with mechanical low back pain: A pilot study

Objectives: Low back pain (LBP) has been considered a neuromusculoskeletal issue that affects a wide variety of populations around the globe at some stage in their life. This paper aimed to see the comparative effects of shockwave therapy and Maitland lumbar mobilizations on pain severity, disability, and range of motion (ROM) values in subjects with mechanical LBP. Methods: A randomized clinical trial was carried out involving 26 subjects divided into two groups using a random number generator table. After baseline therapy (lumbar stretches and core strengthening exercises), shockwave therapy was administered to Group A (2000 shocks/session, pressure of 2 bars, frequency 10 Hz), while Group B received Maitland lumbar mobilizations (starting from Grade 1, with 3-4 sets of oscillations with 40 counts/set, two sets of oscillation to one level below and above the affected vertebras). Both therapeutic interventions were administered for 30 days, twice a week (total of eight sessions) for individual groups. Results: Numeric pain rating scale, Oswestry LBP disability index, lumbar flexion, and extension ROM pre- and post-treatment values showed significant differences with P < 0.05. A greater difference in mean values was observed in group B receiving Maitland mobilization as compared to group A receiving shockwave therapy. Between-group analysis showed a statistically significant difference in both groups with P < 0.005. Conclusion: Both groups showed significant effects in reducing pain levels, functional disability scores, and improving flexion and extension ROM values. However, participants receiving Maitland mobilization showed more significant improvement in all variables than shockwave therapy.