148 patients, presenting with chronic low back pain, were randomized to undergo a 4-week exercise therapy program, using either the Back School (Group-Oriented) or the McKenzie (individualized)method to compare the two methods in terms of pain and disability reduction. Results at 1 month indicated that, although both groups demonstrated significant improvements in pain and disability from baseline, there was only a significant between-group difference in disability, favouring the McKenzie method. At 3 and 6 months, pain and disability were comparable between groups.