Scientific research

A major clinical study has shown that lessons in the Alexander Technique lead to significant long-term benefit for people with chronic low back pain. After one year, compared with people who received usual GP care, those who had taken 24 Alexander lessons had significantly:

• less back pain (3 days of pain per month versus 21 days)
• less incapacity
• and improved quality of life. 1

Further details of the back pain trial

Other studies

A large, randomised, controlled clinical trial, such as the one in back pain, represents the ‘gold standard’ in terms of evaluating new health interventions. In general, however, and unlike the situation for new pharmaceutical drugs, there has been little research funding available to support extensive studies into the Alexander Technique. Nonetheless, several, excellent small-scale studies have been performed and have suggested significant benefits of the Alexander Technique in Parkinson's disease 2-4, balance in elderly people 5,6 and breathing 7 (as well as earlier, preliminary studies in back pain). 8,9

Initial research suggests that some of the benefit from the Alexander Technique may result from improving postural muscle tone, coordination, flexibility and balance. 9,10

The value of the Alexander Technique in the performing arts has long been recognised, and it is an integral part of teaching at several leading music and drama institutes (e.g. RADA and the Royal College of Music). A randomised study has demonstrated a reduction in performance-related anxiety and improved performance quality in musicians following Alexander Technique lessons. 11 These findings relating to performance are supported by the results of another study in pianists that showed improved evenness of touch when playing the piano following Alexander lessons. 12

References

1. Little P; Lewith G; Webley F; et al. Randomised controlled trial of Alexander Technique lessons; exercise and massage (ATEAM) for chronic and recurrent back pain. British Medical Journal 2008;337:a884.
2. Stallibrass C; Frank C; Wentworth K. Retention of skills learnt in Alexander Technique lessons: 28 people with idiopathic Parkinson's disease. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies 2005;9:150-7.
3. Stallibrass C; Sissons P; Chalmers C. Randomized; controlled trial of the Alexander Technique for idopathic Parkinson's disease. Clinical Rehabilitation 2002;16:695-708.
4. Stallibrass C. An evaluation of the Alexander Technique for the management of disability in Parkinson's disease - a preliminary study. Clinical Rehabilitation 1997;11: 8-12.
5. Dennis RJ. Functional reach improvement in normal older women after Alexander Technique instruction. Journals of Gerontology Series A: Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences 1999;54:M8-M11.
6. Batson G, Barker S. Feasibility of group delivery of the Alexander Technique on balance in the community-dwelling elderly: preliminary findings. Activities Adaptation and Aging 2008;32:103-119.
7. Austin JHM and Ausubel P. Enhanced respiratory muscular function in normal adults after lessons in proprioceptive musculoskeletal education without exercises. Chest 1992;102:486-90.
8. Vickers AP; Ledwith F; Gibbens AO. The impact of the Alexander Technique on chronic mechanical low back pain (unpublished report). 2000.
9. Cacciatore TW. Improvement in automatic postural coordination following Alexander Technique lessons in a person with low back pain. Physical Therapy 2005;85:565-78.
10. Cacciatore TW; Gurfinkel VS; Horak FB et al. Alteration of muscle tone through conscious intervention: increased adaptability of axial and proximal tone through the Alexander Technique. 18th International Society for Posture and Gait Research Conference. 14-18 July 2007; Vermont; Abstract WP-36.
11. Valentine ER; Fitzgerald DFP; Gorton TL; Hudson JA; Symonds ERC. The effect of lessons in the Alexander Technique on music performance in high and low stress situations. Psychology of Music 1995;23:129-41.
12. Williamson M; Roberts N; Moorhouse A. The role of the Alexander Technique in musical training and performing. Proceedings of the International Symposium on Performance Science 2007; Porto; Portugal. Eds. Williamson A and Coimbra D. ISBN 978-90-9022484-8. Available from http://www.performancescience.org.