Deep tissue massage and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for low back pain: a prospective randomized trial.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to compare the effectiveness of deep tissue massage (DTM) alone versus DTM combined with NSAIDs in reducing chronic low back pain.
Results Summary
Both DTM alone and DTM combined with NSAIDs significantly reduced pain and improved function, with no significant difference between the two treatments. The study concluded that DTM alone was as effective as the combined therapy for chronic low back pain.
Population
59 patients (average age 51.8 ± 9.0 years) with chronic low back pain.
Effective Dosage
Not specified (2 weeks of DTM in the treatment group, 2 weeks of DTM + NSAID in the control group).
Duration
2 weeks
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
deep tissue massage (DTM) | decrease | pain and function | patients with chronic low back pain | - | a significant pain reduction and function improvement were observed | #1 |
deep tissue massage (DTM) | decrease | Visual analogue scale (VAS) | patients with chronic low back pain | from 58.3 ± 18.2 to 42.2 ± 21.1 | VAS decreased | #2 |
deep tissue massage (DTM) combined with NSAID | decrease | Visual analogue scale (VAS) | patients with chronic low back pain | from 51.8 ± 18.8 to 30.6 ± 21.9 | VAS decreased | #3 |
deep tissue massage (DTM) | decrease | Roland-Morris questionnaire (RM) | patients with chronic low back pain | from 9.8 ± 5.1 to 6.4 ± 4.4 | RM value decreased | #4 |
deep tissue massage (DTM) combined with NSAID | decrease | Roland-Morris questionnaire (RM) | patients with chronic low back pain | from 9.3 ± 5.5 to 6.1 ± 4.6 | RM value decreased | #5 |
deep tissue massage (DTM) | decrease | Oswestry disability index (ODI) | patients with chronic low back pain | from 29.2 ± 17.3 to 21.4 ± 15.1 | ODI value decreased | #6 |
deep tissue massage (DTM) combined with NSAID | decrease | Oswestry disability index (ODI) | patients with chronic low back pain | from 21.4 ± 9.4 to 16.6 ± 9.4 | ODI value decreased | #7 |
deep tissue massage (DTM) versus deep tissue massage (DTM) combined with NSAID | no change | treatment outcomes | patients with chronic low back pain | no significant difference | there was no significant difference | #8 |
deep tissue massage (DTM) | decrease | pain | patients with chronic low back pain | - | had a positive effect on reducing pain | #9 |
Concurrent use of DTM and NSAID | decrease | low back pain | patients with chronic low back pain | similar degree | contributed to low back pain reduction in a similar degree that the DTM did | #10 |
OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether chronic low back pain therapy with deep tissue massage (DTM) gives similar results to combined therapy consisting of DTM and non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID). DESIGN: Prospective controlled randomized single blinded trial. SETTINGS: Ambulatory care of rehabilitation. PARTICIPANTS: 59 patients, age 51.8 ± 9.0 years, with chronic low back pain. Interventions. 2 weeks of DTM in the treatment group (TG) versus 2 weeks of DTM combined with NSAID in the control group (CG). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Visual analogue scale, Oswestry disability index (ODI), and Roland-Morris questionnaire (RM). RESULTS: In both the TG and the CG, a significant pain reduction and function improvement were observed. VAS decreased from 58.3 ± 18.2 to 42.2 ± 21.1 (TG) and from 51.8 ± 18.8 to 30.6 ± 21.9 (CG). RM value decreased from 9.8 ± 5.1 to 6.4 ± 4.4 (TG), and from 9.3 ± 5.5 to 6.1 ± 4.6 (CG). ODI value decreased from 29.2 ± 17.3 to 21.4 ± 15.1 (TG) and from 21.4 ± 9.4 to 16.6 ± 9.4 (CG). All pre-post-treatment differences were significant; however, there was no significant difference between the TG and the CG. CONCLUSION: DTM had a positive effect on reducing pain in patients with chronic low back pain. Concurrent use of DTM and NSAID contributed to low back pain reduction in a similar degree that the DTM did.