February 2003
E. Ernst, P.H. Canter
Aim: Alexander technique (AT), a process of psychophysical
re-education, is being promoted for a range of medical conditions. This
systematic review is aimed at critically evaluating the evidence for or
against the effectiveness of AT.
Methods: Computerized literature
searches were performed in five databases to locate all controlled
clinical trials of AT in any human condition. Data were extracted
independently by two reviewers according to pre-defined criteria. The
information was summarized in tabular and narrative form. The
methodological quality of the primary studies was assessed using the
Jadad score.
Results: Four clinical trials met our
inclusion/exclusion criteria. Only two of these trials were
methodologically sound and clinically relevant. Their results are
promising and imply that AT is effective in reducing the disability of
patients suffering from Parkinson's disease and in improving pain
behaviour and disability in patients with back pain.
Conclusion:
The few controlled clinical trials of AT yield encouraging albeit not
convincing evidence. AT deserves to be studied in more detail.
