The effects of massage with frankincense and myrrh oil in chronic low back pain: A three-arm randomised controlled trial.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to investigate the effects of aromatherapy massage using frankincense and myyrh essential oils on pain and disability in patients with chronic low back pain.
Results Summary
The study found that aromatherapy massage significantly reduced pain (Visual Analogue Scale) and disability (Aberdeen Low Back Pain Scale and Roland-Morris Disability Scale) compared to the control and placebo groups, with statistically significant results (p < 0.001).
Population
Patients with chronic low back pain attending a university hospital physical therapy clinic.
Effective Dosage
Two sessions of low back massage per week using frankincense and myyrh essential oils.
Duration
Data collected between August-December 2020 (exact duration per participant not specified).
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
aromatherapy massage with frankincense and myyrh essential oils | decrease | Visual Analogue Scale scores | patients with chronic low back pain | - | decrease in Visual Analogue Scale scores was found to be statistically higher than the other two groups | #1 |
aromatherapy massage with frankincense and myyrh essential oils | decrease | Aberdeen Low Back Pain Scale scores | patients with chronic low back pain | - | decrease in Aberdeen Low Back Pain Scale scores was found to be statistically higher than the other two groups | #2 |
aromatherapy massage with frankincense and myyrh essential oils | decrease | Roland-Morris Disability Scale scores | patients with chronic low back pain | - | decrease in Roland-Morris Disability Scale scores was found to be statistically higher than the other two groups | #3 |
aromatherapy massage with frankincense and myyrh essential oils | decrease | pain | patients with chronic low back pain | - | can be integrated to medical treatments to relieve pain | #4 |
aromatherapy massage with frankincense and myyrh essential oils | decrease | disability in an individual's daily life | patients with chronic low back pain | - | can be integrated to medical treatments to reduce disability | #5 |
OBJECTIVE: Chronic low back pain is a common problem that impairs the activities of daily life. Massage therapy is one of the non-pharmacological treatment modalities in chronic low back pain. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of aromatherapy massage on pain and disability in patients with chronic low back pain. METHODS: Data were collected between August-December 2020 in a physical therapy clinic of a university hospital. The control, massage and aromatherapy massage groups included 30, 31 and 30 patients, respectively. Two sessions of low back massage per week were applied to the aromatherapy group with frankincense and myyrh essential oils and to the placebo group with jojoba oil. Massage was not applied to the control group. Outcome measures were Visual Analogue Scale, Aberdeen Low Back Pain Scale and Roland-Morris Disability Scale. RESULTS: In the results of study, the decrease in Visual Analogue Scale (p < 0.001), Aberdeen Low Back Pain Scale (p < 0.001) and Roland-Morris Disability Scale (p < 0.001) scores of the aromatherapy group was found to be statistically higher than the other two groups. CONCLUSION: As a result, aromatherapy massage with frankincense and myyrh essential oils can be integrated to medical treatments to relieve pain and reduce disability in an individual's daily life in chronic low back pain. CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT04494165.