Background: Low back and neck pain are two of the most common medical problems in the adult population. It is estimated that between 70% and 80% adults experience an episode of low back pain at least once during their lifetime.
Objects: This study aimed to compare the effects of various stretching exercises and muscle energy techniques used for treatment of iliopsoas, quadratus lumborum, and hamstrings of patients with low back pain.
Methods: A total of 52 subjects were randomly assigned to the control group (n = 17), the muscle energy technology group (METG, n = 19), and the stretching exercise group (SEG, n = 16). Interventions were performed twice a week for 4 weeks. Outcomes were measured before and after 4 weeks of treatment in the three groups, using the Korean version of the Oswestry Disability Index, the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), the Fear Avoidance Belief Questionnaire (FABQ), the Finger to Floor test (FTF), the Modified-Modified Schober Test (MMS), and the Trunk Flexion Range of Motion test.
Results: This study showed significant reduction in the pre-test and post-test KODI, VAS, and FABQ scores in all the three groups (p < 0.05). The KODI, VAS, FABQ and FTF assessed in this study showed interactions between the groups and the measurement time point (p < 0.01). After intervention, the KODI, VAS, FABQ and FTF in the SEG and METG were significantly higher (p < 0.05), and there was no difference between the METG and SEG. MMS and HFROM test showed no difference between the three groups (p > 0.05).
Conclusion: KODI, VAS, FABQ and FTF showed significant improvement after basic physical therapy, muscle energy technique, and stretching exercise intervention. And there was no significant difference in the intervention effect between the muscle energy group and the stretching exercise group.

INTRODUCTION
MATERIALS AND METHODS
    1. 연구대상자
    2. 연구 절차
    3. 중재 방법
    4. 평가방법 및 측정도구
    5. 통계분석
RESULTS
    1. 연구대상자의 일반적인 특성
    2. 측정시점에 따른 세 군 간에 기능장애, 통증 수준과 심리사회적 특성의 변화 양상 비교
    3. 측정시점에 따른 체간 유연성 관련 변수들의 변화 양상 비교
DISCUSSION
CONCLUSIONS
REFERENCES

• 차병하(대전대학교 보건의료대학원 물리치료학과) | Byung-ha Cha (Department of Physical Therapy, Graduate School of Health and Medicine)
• 김선엽(대전대학교 보건의료과학대학 물리치료학과) | Suhn-yeop Kim (Department of Physical Therapy, College of Health and Medical Science, Daejeon University, Daejeon, Korea) Corresponding author