Massage on Pain Levels, Range of Motion, and Muscle Strength in Unilateral Lower Limb Amputees

Loma Linda University (LLU)

Status: Completed

Conditions: Amputation

Treatments: Other: massage

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT03389334

5170458

Details and patient eligibility

About

The purpose of this graduate research study is to explore the therapeutic benefits of Myofascial Release massage on lower limb amputees with pain levels, range of motion, and muscle strength.

Full description

There are no other studies that address the effects of massage therapy as a treatment option for lower limb amputees suffering from lower back pain or the effects this has on muscle performance and/or range of motion. In addressing the physical, psychological, and social needs of a person living with limb loss, there should be a consideration for a multidisciplinary approach that could potentially include massage therapy as a fundamental standard of care. Therefore, the purpose of this graduate student research study is to test whether myofascial release massage can improve lower back pain levels in lower limb amputees and consequently improve quality of life and other measurable variables such as range of motion and muscle strength.

Enrollment: 7 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Pain in the lower back region
• Trans-tibial, trans-femoral, knee disarticulation, or Symes amputees
• Unilateral lower limb amputation
• Subject willing to receive massage once a week over a 4 week span
• Subject must be willing to abstain from over-the-counter and prescription pain medication 24 hours before each treatment

Exclusion criteria

• Open wounds within the treatment area
• Bilateral lower limb amputees
• Pregnant subjects (self-reported)
• Lymphedema
• Amputation distal to ankle
• Subjects who currently receive regular massage treatments
• Subjects taking anticoagulant medication
• Subjects with allergies to coconut oil

Trial design

Primary purpose: Other

Allocation: N/A

Interventional model: Single Group Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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7 participants in 1 patient group

massage group

Experimental group

Description:

Subjects will complete the SF-36, ODI, demographics surveys and then will receive pre-treatment range of motion, muscle strength and visual analogue pain scale prior to massage. Then will have a 45-minute myofascial release massage. Then they will fill out the visual analogue pain scale again. (Approximately 90-minutes) The second and third visits: visual analogue scale prior to the treatment; 45-minute massage, by the same therapist who treated them during the initial visit, and will fill out a second visual analog pain scale following the treatment. (Approximately 60-minutes) The fourth visit: visual analogue pain scale and 45-minute massage; post-treatment SF-36, ODI surveys, visual analogue pain scale, post-treatment range of motion and muscle strength.

Treatment:

Other: massage