Effects of the Feldenkrais Method as a Physiotherapy Tool: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Abstract

The Feldenkrais Method (FM) is based on the learning of alternative movement patterns, carried out in an active and conscious way, which may have therapeutic effects. The objective of this systematic review is to identify the populations and conditions for which the FM can be used in physiotherapy and to determine the intervention modalities. Research in PubMed, Cochrane and PEDro databases was performed. The PEDro scale was employed to assess the methodological quality. Meta-analyses (MA) were performed whenever populations and outcome measures were comparable in at least two studies. Sixteen studies were included. In elderly people, in three of the four selected trials, the FM group significantly improved gait, balance, mobility and quality of life. The MA showed significant differences between interventions in the Timed-Up-and-Go test [Cohen’s d = −1.14, 95% CI (−1.78, −0.49), p = 0.0006]. FM significantly improved pain, functional balance, and perceived exertion in three trials performed on subjects with cervical, dorsal, or shoulder pain. FM demonstrated improvements in pain, disability, quality of life and interoceptive awareness in the three trials performed in subjects with chronic low back pain. In multiple sclerosis, an improvement in functional capacity was observed in the two selected studies. The MA showed no significant differences between groups in the Function (p = 0.97) and Control (p = 0.82) dimensions of the Multiple Sclerosis Self-Efficacy Scale. In Parkinson’s disease, two studies showed significant effects on quality of life and functional tests. In conclusion, evidence shows that FM has therapeutic effects comparable to other physiotherapy techniques in patients with spine pain. In addition, improvements in mobility and balance were seen in the elderly and people with neurodegenerative diseases.

A Comparison of Two Forward Head Posture Corrective Approaches in Elderly with Chronic Non-Specific Neck Pain: A Randomized Controlled Study

“…Thus, this standard treatment of exercises provided an established evidence-based protocol to compare and contrast the CBP group’s treatment to. There are several other exercise systems in the literature designed to improve FHP abnormalities (Pilates [ 24 ], McKenzie [ 23 ], biofeedback methods [ 22 ], and Feldenkrais techniques [ 53 ]) that we could have used to compare the CBP group outcomes to. However, we elected to use the standard exercises herein, as they are commonly used in clinical settings, have documented results in clinical trials, and this is the accepted protocol that is actively used in our university’s senior care center.…”

“…Lastly, the results of the current RCT do not indicate the superiority of the CBP technique for postural correction in comparison to other FHP corrective methodological systems. There are several other postural corrective techniques used in conservative care of patients (Pilates [ 24 ], McKenzie [ 23 ], Biofeedback [ 22 ], and Feldenkrais [ 53 ] techniques for examples), and these techniques should be looked at in future randomized trials to identify their effects on the CVA, pain, balance, and cervical spine mobility in elderly populations in an effort to identify the optimum course of treatment for seniors presenting with neck pain, disability, and abnormal FHP.…”

The Effectiveness of Online Feldenkrais Lessons on Somatosensory Tinnitus - A Pilot Study

“…The Feldenkrais Method, named after its creator Moshé Feldenkrais, a physicist, and martial arts expert, is a form of somatic education aimed at enhancing self-awareness, movement and overall well-being [29]. It employs two techniques.…”

“…In Functional Integration, a Feldenkrais practitioner provides individual sessions by gently touching and manually guiding the client's body without verbal communication [30]. In Awareness Through Movement (ATM) group lessons, clients typically lie or sit on the floor and follow verbal instructions or use visualization to imagine movements while paying attention to bodily sensations [29,30]. For example, clients may be instructed to look left while rolling their head to the right, simultaneously moving their lower jaw and/or tongue to the left.…”

“…The Feldenkrais method is comparable to other physical therapy techniques [29]. It has been shown to improve balance, mobility, fear of falling, quality of life, and gait speed in elderly individuals [31][32][33].…”