AT's effectiveness for back pain: the ATEAM trial
This was a randomised controlled trial of the effectiveness of Alexander Technique lessons, exercise and massage (ATEAM) for chronic and recurrent back pain.
It involved 579 patients with chronic or recurrent lower back pain. 144 of them were chosen randomly to receive normal care; 147 were chosen randomly to have massage treatment; 144 were chosen randomly to have six Alexander Technique lessons; 144 were chosen randomly to have 24 AT lessons. Half of each group were chosen at random also to receive an exercise prescription.
The results were as follows:
- 24 AT lessons was the most beneficial approach
- Six AT lessons plus exercise was 70% as effective as 24 lessons
- Long-term benefits were unlikely to be due to a placebo effect
- Lessons were given one-to-one by experienced STAT teachers
This research, published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ 20/08/08; online at www.bmj.com ) concluded that Alexander Technique lessons provided significant long-term benefits for low back pain.