Physical Therapists' Level of McKenzie Education, Functional Outcomes, and Utilization in Patients With Low Back Pain

There was a slightly greater improvement of 0.7 to 1.3 points in FS at discharge in patients receiving physical therapy for low back pain by physical therapists who underwent McKenzie training. This difference was clinically important for an additional 5% of patients who achieved the minimal clinically important improvement when treated by therapists with some McKenzie training. Reduction in physical therapy utilization was 0.6 to 0.9 visits, with the fewest visits utilized by patients of physical therapists at the McKenzie Part D and credentialed levels. Together, these findings suggest improved cost-effectiveness at advanced McKenzie training levels. Ways to improve ongoing education and patient outcomes were proposed.