COMPARATIVE EFFICACY OF THERAPEUTIC EXERCISES FROM ÉCOLE DU DOS MAIL 14 VERSUS CONVENTIONAL THERAPEUTIC EXERCISES IN CHRONIC NONSPECIFIC LOW BACK PAIN: A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED PILOT STUDY

Introduction: Chronic non-specific low back pain (CNSLBP) is a leading cause of global disability. While both conventional therapeutic exercises (CTE) and structured educational methods, such as the École du Dos Mail 14 are used in rehabilitation, few studies have directly compared their functional outcomes. Objective: To compare the short-term effects of École du Dos Mail14 and CTE on disability, motor control, and spinal mobility in patients with CNSLBP through a randomized controlled trial. Methods: Twelve participants (mean age: 61.1 ± 12.7 years) with CNSLBP were randomized into two groups: Group A (CTE) and Group B (École du Dos). Outcomes included the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), fingertip- to-floor (FTF), lateral flexion, and the Luomajoki Movement Control Test. Mann-Whitney U tests and Cohen's d were used to assess group differences and effect sizes. Results: The École du Dos group showed clinically meaningful improvements in ODI (8.0% vs. 23.0%, p = 0.054, d = 1.4) and Luomajoki scores (1.17 vs. 2.67, p = 0.164, d = 1.1). Mobility gains (FTF, lateral flexion) were similar between groups (p>0.05). Conclusion: This pilot trial is among the first to functionally compare École du Dos and CTE in CNSLBP. Although statistical significance was limited, the École du Dos method demonstrated favorable trends and large effect sizes in disability and motor control, supporting its potential clinical relevance. Further studies with larger samples are warranted.