In the Sept. 10 edition of Health & Science, we reported on a study published in a British medical journal that indicated the Alexander Technique is more effective than massage or exercise in ameliorating chronic lower back pain.

A 2002 study conducted at the University of Westminster in London concluded the Alexander Technique also is more effective than massage in treating ideopathic Parkinson's disease.

Parkinson's is a degenerative disease of the central nervous system that affects motor skills, speech and other functions.

The study involved three equal-sized groups, one that received 24 lessons in the Alexander Technique, another that received 24 massage sessions, and a control group that received neither. Results were determined by responses to a questionnaire, the Self-Assessment Parkinson's Disease Disability Scale.

Results on the scale are graded 0 to 6, with 0 being good and 6 being bad. The Alexander Technique group scored themselves 1.2 points lower than the massage group at their best time of day, 3.9 points lower at their worst time of day.

Last week's story mentioned just three Alexander Technique instructors in the Pittsburgh area, whose names were obtained from the American Society for the Alexander Technique, an accrediting body. Information about the teachers can be found at www.alexandertech.org.

An additional accrediting organization, the Alexander Technique International, lists 10 others in the Pittsburgh area, with contact information on its Web site, www.ati-net.com.