Effectiveness of Ayurvedic Massage (Sahacharadi Taila) in Patients with Chronic Low Back Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of Ayurvedic massage for pain relief in patients with nonspecific chronic low back pain compared to standard thermal therapy.
Results Summary
Ayurvedic massage significantly reduced mean back pain more than thermal therapy at week 2, with benefits also seen in pain-related bothersomeness and psychological well-being, though it did not improve function or disability in the short term. Both treatments were safe and well tolerated.
Population
64 patients (mean age 54.8 years; 49 women, 15 men) with chronic low back pain scoring >40 mm on a 100-mm VAS.
Effective Dosage
6 hours of Ayurvedic massage and external treatment over 2 weeks.
Duration
2-week intervention followed by a 2-week follow-up.
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ayurvedic massage and external treatment | decrease | mean back pain (VAS) | patients with chronic low back pain | from 53.4 ± 18.5 to 21.6 ± 18.2 | significantly reduced | #1 |
local thermal therapy | decrease | mean back pain (VAS) | patients with chronic low back pain | from 55.3 ± 12.9 to 41.8 ± 19.8 | reduced | #2 |
Ayurvedic massage and external treatment | decrease | pain-related bothersomeness | patients with chronic low back pain | - | beneficial effects | #3 |
Ayurvedic massage and external treatment | increase | psychological well-being | patients with chronic low back pain | - | beneficial effects | #4 |
Ayurvedic massage and external treatment | no change | function | patients with chronic low back pain | - | did not improve | #5 |
Ayurvedic massage and external treatment | no change | disability | patients with chronic low back pain | - | did not improve | #6 |
Ayurvedic massage and external treatment | neutral | safety and tolerability | patients with chronic low back pain | - | safe and well tolerated | #7 |
local thermal therapy | neutral | safety and tolerability | patients with chronic low back pain | - | safe and well tolerated | #8 |
OBJECTIVES: Ayurveda is one of the oldest comprehensive healthcare systems worldwide. Ayurvedic massage and physical therapy are frequently used to treat patients with chronic pain syndromes and disorders of the musculoskeletal system. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of Ayurvedic massage in nonspecific chronic low back pain by means of a randomized clinical trial. DESIGN: Sixty-four patients (mean age, 54.8 years; 49 women and 15 men) with chronic low back pain who scored >40 mm on a 100-mm visual analogue scale (VAS) were randomly assigned to a 2-week massage group with 6 hours of Ayurvedic massage and external treatment (n = 32) or to a 2-week local thermal therapy group (n = 32). The study observation period was 4 weeks, consisting of a 2-week intervention phase followed by a 2-week follow-up phase. OUTCOME MEASURES: Primary outcome measure was the change of mean pain (VAS) from baseline to week 4. Secondary outcomes included pain-related bothersomeness, the Roland Disability Questionnaire, quality of life (Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short Form), the Hanover Functional Ability Questionnaire for measuring back pain-related disability, and psychological outcomes. Outcomes were assessed at baseline and after 2 and 4 weeks. RESULTS: Mean back pain (primary outcome) at week 2 was significantly reduced from 53.4 ± 18.5 to 21.6 ± 18.2 in the massage group and from 55.3 ± 12.9 to 41.8 ± 19.8 in the standard thermal therapy group (mean group difference, -18.7; 95% confidence interval, -28.7 to -8.7; p < 0.001). While beneficial effects on pain-related bothersomeness and psychological well-being were also apparent, the Ayurvedic intervention did not improve function or disability in the short-term observation period. Both programs were safe and well tolerated. CONCLUSIONS: Ayurvedic external treatment is effective for pain-relief in chronic low back pain in the short term. Further studies with longer observation periods are needed to evaluate the long-term effects of the Ayurvedic external treatment approach on function and disability.