Chinese Massage Combined with Herbal Ointment for Athletes with Nonspecific Low Back Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Non-specific low back pain (NLBP) is an increasing health problem for athletes. This randomized controlled trial was designed to investigate the effects of Chinese massage combined with herbal ointment for NLBP. 110 athletes with NLBP were randomly assigned to experimental group with Chinese massage combined with herbal ointment or control group with simple massage therapy. The primary outcome was pain by Chinese Short Form McGill Pain Questionnaire (C-SFMPQ). The secondary outcome was local muscle stiffness by Myotonometer. After 4 weeks, the experimental group experienced significant improvements in C-SFMPQ and in local muscle stiffness compared with control group (between-group difference in mean change from baseline, −1.24 points,P=0.005in sensory scores; −3.14 points,P<0.001in affective scores; −4.39 points,P<0.001in total scores; −0.64 points,P=0.002in VAS; −1.04 points,P=0.005in local muscle stiffness during relaxation state). The difference remained at one month followup, but it was only significant in affective scores (−2.83 points,P<0.001) at three months followup. No adverse events were observed. These findings suggest that Chinese massage combined with herbal ointment may be a beneficial complementary and alternative therapy for athletes with NLBP.

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Effects of electroacupuncture frequencies on chronic low back pain in older adults: triple-blind, 12-months protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Trials ◽

10.1186/s13063-019-3813-6 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 20 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Sarina Francescato Torres ◽

Ana Carolina Brandt de Macedo ◽

Mateus Dias Antunes ◽

Ingred Merllin Batista de Souza ◽

Francisco Dimitre Rodrigo Pereira Santos ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Randomized Controlled Trial ◽

Low Back Pain ◽

Back Pain ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Adult Population ◽

Control Group ◽

Supporting Evidence ◽

Low Back ◽

Randomized Controlled

Abstract Background Low back pain (LBP) is the most frequent complaint in clinical practice. Electroacupuncture treatment may be effective; however, the supporting evidence is still limited, especially in older adults. Objective The current study is a randomized controlled trial that aims to evaluate the clinical efficacy of electroacupuncture in older adults with LBP. Methods A five-arm randomized controlled trial with patients and evaluators blinded to the group allocation. A total of 125 participants with non-specific LBP will be randomly assigned into one of five groups: three electroacupuncture groups (low, high, and alternating frequency); one control group; and one placebo group. The electroacupuncture will be applied twice a week (30 min per session) for five weeks. The primary clinical outcome measure will be pain intensity. The secondary outcomes include: quality of pain; physical functioning; perceived overall effect; emotional functionality; patient satisfaction; and psychosocial factors. Patients will be evaluated before the first session, immediately after the last, and followed up after six and 12 months to check the medium- and long-term effects. Discussion Although electroacupuncture is increasingly used to treat LBP, there is no guidance regarding the parameters used, which leads to inconsistent results. Thus, the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on LBP remains controversial and requires more studies, especially in the older adult population. Conclusion This is the first randomized controlled trial to evaluate the efficacy of different frequencies of electroacupuncture for treating chronic LBP in older adults. This study will provide evidence on the effectiveness of electroacupuncture as an alternative treatment method for LBP and will entail wider debate about an appropriate acupuncture intervention in this population. Trial registration Clinicaltrials.gov, NCT03802045. Registered on 14 January 2019.

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Does Dynamic Taping Affect Pain, Endurance, Disability, Mobility, and Kinesiophobia in Individuals with Chronic Nonspecific Low Back Pain? A Randomized Controlled Trial

Journal of Spine Practice (JSP) ◽

10.18502/jsp.v1i1.9805 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 47

Author(s):

Kanagaraj Rengaramanujam

Keyword(s):

Randomized Controlled Trial ◽

Low Back Pain ◽

Back Pain ◽

Outcome Measures ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Control Group ◽

Low Back ◽

Short Term ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Pain Disability

Introduction: Evidence suggests that the application of Kinesio tape (KT) on patients with chronic nonspecific low back pain (CNLBP) is inconclusive. Dynamic tape (DT) is a relatively new treatment technique, which is increasingly being used as an adjunctive method to treat musculoskeletal problems. To the best of our knowledge, no study has investigated the application of DT in individuals with CNLBP. Thus, there is a need to compare the immediate and short-term effects of DT versus KT and no tape among patients with CNLBP on pain, endurance, disability, mobility, and kinesiophobia. Methodology: Forty-five patients with CNLBP were randomly divided into three groups: the DT group (n = 15), the KT group (n = 15), and the control group (n = 15). No tape was applied to the control group. The allocation and assessment procedures were blinded. The outcome measures were assessed before the tape application (baseline), 15 min after the tape application (immediate effect), and on the third day post tape application (short-term effect). The primary outcomes of pain, endurance, and disability were measured through the visual analog scale (VAS), Biering–Sorensen test, and Oswestry disability index (ODI), respectively. Secondary outcome measures of mobility and kinesiophobia were measured using the modified Schober test and the Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia, respectively. Result: The demographic and baseline characteristics between groups were compared by the one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) for parametric variables and the Chi-square test for nonparametric variables. A mixed-methods ANOVA (3 ´ 3) was used to analyze the main effect (group effect and time effect) and time ´ group interaction. No significant immediate and short-term differences were found between DT and KT in pain, disability, mobility, and kinesiophobia. Improved back extensor endurance was observed for the DT group compared to the KT (p = 0.023) and control (p = 0.006) groups. Conclusion: This randomized controlled trial showed that the DT does not have a significant additional effect on pain, disability, mobility, and kinesiophobia among individuals with CNLBP compared to KT. However, participants experienced significant improvement in back muscular endurance after the application of DT. This finding suggests that DT controls the processes that lead to back muscle fatigue. Therefore, more studies are required to examine the therapeutic benefits of DT in treating patients with CNLBP.

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The effectiveness of 12 weeks of Pilates intervention on disability, pain and kinesiophobia in patients with chronic low back pain: a randomized controlled trial

Clinical Rehabilitation ◽

10.1177/0269215518768393 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 32 (9) ◽

pp. 1249-1257 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

David Cruz-Díaz ◽

Marta Romeu ◽

Carmen Velasco-González ◽

Antonio Martínez-Amat ◽

Fidel Hita-Contreras

Keyword(s):

Randomized Controlled Trial ◽

Low Back Pain ◽

Back Pain ◽

Analogue Scale ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Control Group ◽

Low Back ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Disability Questionnaire

Objective: To assess the effectiveness of 12 weeks of Pilates practice on disability, pain and kinesiophobia in patients with chronic non-specific low back pain. Design: This is a randomized controlled trial. Setting: This study was conducted in the university laboratory. Subjects: A total of 64 participants with chronic non-specific low back pain were included. Interventions: Participants were randomly allocated to intervention group consisted in Pilates intervention during 12 weeks ( n = 32) or control group who received no treatment ( n = 32). Main measures: Disability, pain and kinesiophobia were assessed by Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire, visual analogue scale and Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia, respectively. Measurements were performed at baseline, at 6 and 12 weeks after study completion. Results: There were significant differences between groups with observed improvement in Pilates intervention group in all variables after treatment ( P < 0.001). Major changes on disability and kinesiophobia were observed at six weeks of intervention with no significant difference after 12 weeks ( P < 0.001). Mean changes of the intervention group compared with the control group were 4.00 (0.45) on the Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire and 5.50 (0.67) in the Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia. Pain showed better results at six weeks with a slightly but statistically significant improvement at 12 weeks with Visual Analogue Scale scores of 2.40 (0.26) ( P < 0.001). Conclusion: Pilates intervention in patients with chronic non-specific low back pain is effective in the management of disability, pain and kinesiophobia.

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Efficacy Of A Multidimensional Versus Usual Care Physiotherapy On Pain And Electroencephalography (EEG) Spectrum In Chronic Nonspecific Low Back Pain: Study Protocol For A Randomized Controlled Trial

10.21203/rs.3.rs-249100/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Sanaz Bemani ◽

Shohreh Noorizadeh Dehkordi ◽

Javad Sarrafzadeh ◽

Saeed Talebian ◽

Reza Salehi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Randomized Controlled Trial ◽

Low Back Pain ◽

Back Pain ◽

Usual Care ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Biomechanical Model ◽

Clinical Findings ◽

Control Group ◽

Low Back ◽

Randomized Controlled

Abstract Background: Non-specific chronic low back pain (NSCLBP) is a major public health and global socioeconomic burden associated with a complex interplay of biopsychosocial factors. Despite scientific signs of progress, treatment of NSCLBP often tends to stick to a biomechanical model, without targeting psychological and social factors. To enhance clinical efficacy of usual physiotherapy for NSCLBP, the development of clinical strategies is to be pursued. This study aims to assess the effectiveness of multidimensional physiotherapy based on biopsychosocial approach compared to usual care physiotherapy, on clinical findings and Electroencephalography spectrum in non-specific chronic low back pain.Methods: This study is a triple-blind, two-arm (1:1) randomized controlled trial with a 4-months follow-up. 70 NSCLBP patients will be randomly allocated to either the experimental (multidimensional physiotherapy) or the active control group (usual physiotherapy), each group will receive 6-weeks of physiotherapy. The main outcome is pain and secondary outcomes are brain function, quality of life, disability, lumbar flexion range of motion and psychosocial correlates. Assessment will be performed at baseline, post-treatment and at 1- and 4-months follow-up.Discussion: Findings may provide evidence on the effectiveness of multidimensional physiotherapy on clinical findings and brain characteristics and might provide evidence towards showing the role of brain and biopsychosocial factors on chronic pain.Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04270422, Registered 17 February 2020, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04270422?term=NCT04270422&draw=2&rank=1IRCT Identifier: IRCT20140810018754N11

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Evaluation of the Therapeutic Effect of Low Level Laser in Controlling Low Back Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Journal of lasers in medical sciences ◽

10.34172/jlms.2020.21 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 11 (2) ◽

pp. 120-125 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Leyla Kholoosy ◽

Dariush Elyaspour ◽

Mohammad Reza Akhgari ◽

Zahra Razzaghi ◽

Zeinab Khodamardi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Randomized Controlled Trial ◽

Low Back Pain ◽

Back Pain ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Control Group ◽

Case Group ◽

Low Back ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Level Laser ◽

Laser Group

Introduction: Low back pain (LBP) is a very common musculoskeletal disorder. The big burden of disease necessitates investigating a more effective modality of treatments with more persistence and also fewer side effects. Low power laser has been proved as a pain reducing modality, but there is a lack of studies comparing it with other treatments and also among the Iranian race and society. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of low-level laser on patients with LBP. Methods: Our study was a single-blind, randomized controlled trial. Forty subjects, aged between 20 to 70 with LBP participated in the study. Their pain severity scale was 3-10 according to the visual analogue scale of pain (VAS). They were randomly assigned to two groups, a case group (true laser) and a control group (sham laser). Naproxen was prescribed with a free dose (250-1000 mg/ daily) to both groups. We evaluated patients’ subjective pain, functional status (using the Roland Morris disability questionnaire), spinal range of motion (ROM) and spinal tenderness at the basic time, one month and 3 months after treatment. The true laser group received 12 sessions of laser (160 mW) and the control group took 12 sessions of sham laser (the same laser instrument in off status). An infrared laser GaAlAs, wavelength 808 nm, power 160 mw and spot size 1 cm2 and power density 0.16 J/cm2 in continuous mode was used in treatment. We applied the laser to articular spaces of vertebral column, adjacent paravertebral points, pain radiating areas, tender points and also pain-controlling acupuncture points. Results: Of the 40 participants in the study, 6 persons were excluded and thus the data obtained from 34 participants were statistically analyzed. There was significant improvement in pain (P<0.001 for both groups), functional status (Case group: P<0.001; control group: P=0.004) and spinal ROM (Case group: P<0.001; control group: P=0.007) in both groups at the end of the first month, but these gains persisted for 3 months only in the case group (P<0.001). Regarding spinal tenderness, it was disappeared in 89.47% of the patients in the true laser group at the end of one month but remained unchanged in 73.33% of the subjects of the sham laser group. Conclusion: We concluded that laser therapy (in combination with NSAIDs) is an effective and long-lasting therapeutic strategy in bringing relief from LBP without any significant side effect.

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Effectiveness of the Godelieve Denys-Struyf (GDS) Method in People With Low Back Pain: Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial

Physical Therapy ◽

10.2522/ptj.20140099 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 95 (3) ◽

pp. 319-336 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

María José Díaz-Arribas ◽

Francisco M. Kovacs ◽

Ana Royuela ◽

Mónica Fernández-Serrano ◽

Lorena Gutiérrez-Fernández ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Randomized Controlled Trial ◽

Low Back Pain ◽

Back Pain ◽

Physical Therapy ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial ◽

Control Group ◽

Low Back ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Cluster Randomized

Background The Godelieve Denys-Struyf method (GDS) is a motor learning intervention that may be applied in group or individualized sessions. Objective The study objective was to compare the effectiveness of routine physical therapy, group GDS (GDS-G) sessions, and group and individualized GDS (GDS-I) sessions. Design This was a cluster randomized controlled trial. Setting The study took place in 21 primary care physical therapy units (“clusters”) of the Spanish National Health Service (SNHS). Participants The participants were 461 people with subacute and chronic low back pain (LBP). Intervention Clusters were randomized into 3 groups. All participants received medical treatment and a 15-minute group education session on active management. Additional interventions were as follows: control (fifteen 40-minute sessions of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, microwave treatment, and standardized exercises), GDS-G (eleven 50-minute group GDS sessions), and GDS-I (the same 11 sessions plus four 50-minute individualized GDS sessions). Measurements Primary outcomes at baseline and 2, 6, and 12 months later were LBP and pain referred down the leg (separate pain intensity numeric rating scales) and disability (Roland-Morris Questionnaire [RMQ]). Secondary outcomes were use of medication and self-reported health (mental and physical component summaries of the 12-Item Short-Form Health Survey [SF-12]). Separate linear mixed models for LBP, pain referred down the leg, and disability were developed to adjust for potential confounders. Randomization, outcome assessment, and data analyses were masked. Results At 12 months, disability improved 0.7 (95% confidence interval [CI]=−0.4, 1.8) RMQ point in the control group, 1.5 (95% CI=0.4, 2.7) RMQ points in the GDS-I group, and 2.2 (95% CI=1.2, 3.2) RMQ points in the GDS-G group. There were no differences in pain. Limitations The amount of exercise was smaller in the control group, and GDS-I sessions were provided by junior physical therapists. Conclusions The improvement in disability was slightly higher with group GDS sessions than with the program routinely used in clusters within the SNHS. Adding individualized GDS sessions eliminated this advantage. Further studies should compare the GDS with other types of exercise.

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Effects of a multimodal exercise intervention on physical and cognitive functions in patients with chronic low back pain (MultiMove): study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

BMC Geriatrics ◽

10.1186/s12877-021-02093-1 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Lutz Schega ◽

Britta Kaps ◽

Kim-Charline Broscheid ◽

Robert Bielitzki ◽

Martin Behrens ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Randomized Controlled Trial ◽

Low Back Pain ◽

Back Pain ◽

Chronic Low Back Pain ◽

Cognitive Functions ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Control Group ◽

Health State ◽

Low Back ◽

Randomized Controlled

Abstract Background Chronic low back pain (CLBP) is a common medical condition in adults over the age of 50. It is associated with severe disability, ranging from physical impairments to psychosocial distress. Since current treatments provide only small to moderate short-term effects, alternative interventions are required, whereby guidelines recommended multimodal approaches. Dancing can be considered as an inherently multimodal approach, as it requires a combination of physical and cognitive functions. Furthermore, it has already been applied effectively in neurorehabilitation. Therefore, it seems promising to merge a dance-therapeutic component together with motor-cognitive, strength and flexibility exercises in a novel multimodal treatment (MultiMove) to target the impaired everyday mobility and cognition of CLBP patients. The aim of this study is to analyse specific physical, cognitive and psychosocial effects of MultiMove in CLBP patients. Methods A prospective, two-arm, single-blinded, randomized controlled trial will be conducted with an estimated sample size of 100 CLBP patients, assigned to either the MultiMove group or a control group. The intervention group will receive MultiMove twice a week for 60 min each over a period of 12 weeks. The primary outcome will be the mobility and function of the lower extremities assessed by the Timed Up-and-Go Test. Secondary outcomes comprise further physical and physiological functions (e.g. gait variability and haemodynamic response in the prefrontal cortex during motor-cognitive dual tasks), subjective health state (e.g. disability in daily life), executive functions (e.g. cognitive flexibility) and psychosocial aspects (e.g. kinesiophobia). Measures will be taken at baseline, after the intervention and at a 12-week follow-up. It is assumed that MultiMove improves the mentioned outcome parameters. Discussion The combined assessment of changes in physical and cognitive functions as well as neuropsychological aspects in response to MultiMove will allow a better understanding of the motor-cognitive adaptations induced by multimodal exercises in CLBP patients. The specific conclusions will lead to recommendations for the conservative treatment approach in this clinically relevant patient group. Trial registration German Clinical Trial Register (ID: DRKS00021696 / 10.07.2020), https://www.drks.de/drks_web/navigate.do?navigationId=trial.HTML&TRIAL_ID=DRKS00021696

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