Short-term effects of classical massage added to a conventional physiotherapy on non-specific chronic low back Pain: A randomized, placebo-controlled study.

OBJECTIVES

To examine the short-term effects of classical massage (CM) on pain, mobility, disability, psychological state, and quality of life (QoL), and compare them with placebo massage (PM) when added to conventional physiotherapy (CP) in patients with nonspecific chronic low back pain (NCLBP).

DESIGN

Randomized clinical blind trial.

METHODS

Forty-one participants with NCLBP (age: 18-65 years) were randomly divided into two groups: CP plus CM (n=20) and CP plus PM (n=21). The program was conducted five days a week for three weeks. The Visual Analog Scale, Modified Schober Test, Oswestry Disability Index, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short Form Health Questionnaire were used at baseline and at the end of the third week. Analysis was performed using a 2-way mixed-model ANOVA.

RESULTS

Significant changes were observed within the CP plus CM and CP plus PM groups respectively in pain at rest (p=0.01, p<0.001), during activity (p<0.001, p<0.001), and at night (p=0.05, p=0.02), as well as in spinal mobility (p<0.001, p=0.03), disability (p<0.001, p<0.001), and QoL physical component (p<0.001, p=0.34). Additionally, a minimal clinically significant difference was found in low-back pain during activity in both groups and in disability only in the CP plus CM group. Significant differences were also observed in depression scale (p=0.046) and in the QoL physical component (p=0.03) in the CP plus CM group.

CONCLUSION

Both CM and PM (with CP) reduced pain and disability, and improved mobility compared to pre-treatment. However, only CP plus CM improved QoL in NCLBP patients.