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A comparison of the effects of deep tissue massage and therapeutic massage on chronic low back pain.

Studies in health technology and informatics
January 1, 2012
Mateusz Romanowski et al. (3 authors)
Comparative StudyControlled Clinical TrialJournal ArticleHuman StudyClinical
Study Details

Study Goal

The researchers aimed to compare the effectiveness of therapeutic massage (TM) and deep tissue massage (DTM) in treating chronic low back pain in elderly patients.

Results Summary

Both TM and DTM showed statistically significant improvements in pain and disability measures (ODI, QBPD, VAS). DTM was significantly more effective than TM in reducing disability (ODI) and pain (VAS).

Population

26 patients aged 60-75 years with chronic low back pain.

Effective Dosage

30-minute sessions daily for 10 days.

Duration

10 days

Interactions

None mentioned

Extracted Claims (8)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
therapeutic massage
decrease
Modified Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Index
26 patient aged from 60 to 75 years with chronic low back pain
p=0.010
Statistically significant differences were noted
#1
therapeutic massage
decrease
Quebec Back Pain Disability Scale
26 patient aged from 60 to 75 years with chronic low back pain
p<0.001
Statistically significant differences were noted
#2
therapeutic massage
decrease
Visual Analog Scale
26 patient aged from 60 to 75 years with chronic low back pain
p<0.001
Statistically significant differences were noted
#3
deep tissue massage
decrease
Modified Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Index
26 patient aged from 60 to 75 years with chronic low back pain
p<0.001
Statistically significant differences were noted
#4
deep tissue massage
decrease
Quebec Back Pain Disability Scale
26 patient aged from 60 to 75 years with chronic low back pain
p<0.001
Statistically significant differences were noted
#5
deep tissue massage
decrease
Visual Analog Scale
26 patient aged from 60 to 75 years with chronic low back pain
p<0.001
Statistically significant differences were noted
#6
deep tissue massage
decrease
Modified Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Index
26 patient aged from 60 to 75 years with chronic low back pain
p=0.038
was statistically significant better therapy than therapeutic massage
#7
deep tissue massage
decrease
Visual Analog Scale
26 patient aged from 60 to 75 years with chronic low back pain
p=0.015
was statistically significant better therapy than therapeutic massage
#8
Abstract

INTRODUCTION: This study compared the effectiveness of two different kind of massage: therapeutic and deep tissue on chronic low back pain. METHODS: The research was made on 26 patient aged from 60 to 75 years who were separated into 2 groups: I [n=13] and II [n=13]. Group I had therapeutic massage [TM] which uses effleurage, petrissage, tapping and friction. Group II had deep tissue massage [DTM] which uses oblique pressure, a combination of lengthening and cross-fiber strokes, anchor and stretch, freeing muscle from entrapment. TM and DTM lasted for 10 days, each 30 min and were made by qualify massage therapist. Both groups did not have other treatment. Outcome measures obtained at baseline and after treatment consisted of Modified Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Index [ODI], Quebec Back Pain Disability Scale[QBPD] and Visual Analog Scale [VAS]. RESULTS: There was not statistically significant differences between groups according to age and BMI. Statistically significant differences were noted after TM in every test [ODI p=0.010; QBPD p<0.001; VAS p<0.001] and after DTM in every test [ODI p<0.001; QBPD p<0.001; VAS p<0.001]. DTM was statistically significant better therapy than TM in ODI [p=0.038] and VAS [p=0.015]. Further research is needed to verify the results.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
AgedChronic DiseaseHumansLow Back PainMaleMassagePain MeasurementTreatment Outcome
Study Links
PubMed ID22744541
Quality Scores
SafetyNot Assessed
Efficacy85/10
Quality75/10
Citation Metrics
Total Citations9
Citations/Year0.7
Relative Citation Ratio0.44
NIH Percentile24.1%
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.50
Weight Score1.29
Normalized Score0.69
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