The Effectiveness of Short-term Massage Versus Trabert Current Therapy in Patients With Low Back Pain

Medical University of Bialystok

Status: Completed

Conditions: Low Back Pain

Treatments: Device: Trabert current; Other: Manual massage

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT03772093

R-I-002/418/2013

Details and patient eligibility

About

Background: Low back pain (LBP) is still a frequent health problem. Recurrance of symptoms leads to high absence at work. It was proved in previous studies that low back manual massage has a significant impact on pain reduction. Trabert current (TC) is common physical modality used in rehabilitation of patients with LBP. The aim of study was to assess the effectiveness of manual massage in comparison to TC in patients with LBP.

Methods: Sixty patients with LBP were enrolled in to the study. In all patients discopathy and spondyloarthrosis were diagnosed. The subjects were randomly assigned to two groups: massage (I=30) and TC (II=30) therapy. The procedures were performed for ten days. Pain intensity was assessed by Numerical Rating Scale. Quality of life and the degree of disability were evaluated by Oswestry Disability Index and Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire.

Results: In both groups pain reduction and functional improvement were observed after therapy. However, better results were noticed in group I.

Enrollment: 60 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 40 to 70 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• confirmed in X-ray spondyloarthrotic changes in lumbar area of spine
• pain of lumbar area lasting than 1 year

Exclusion criteria

• cardiac rythm disturbances
• cardiac pacemaker
• heart failure
• pulmonary embolism
• atherosclerosis
• neoplasmatic diseases
• skin lesions or purulent changes in the area of procedure
• pregnancy
• advanced osteoporosis
• spine fractures
• fever

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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60 participants in 2 patient groups

Patients with manual massage therapy

Active Comparator group

Description:

30 patients were randomly assigned to massage therapy. The procedures were performed for ten days, with weekend break. Manual massage of lumbar area was performed by certified massage therapist with the typical course of the procedure. The technique was consisted of stroking, kneading, grinding, patting and shaking. The procedure lasted twenty minutes.

Treatment:

Other: Manual massage

Patients with Trabert current therapy

Active Comparator group

Description:

30 patients were randomly assigned to Trabert current therapy. The Trabert current was administered by 143 frequency, time of 2 ms impulse, time of break 5 ms. The current was generated by Pulsotronic ST-6D device (ZAMED©). The electric pads were placed on the lumbar area, in the middle part of spine. The anode in the lower part, near to buttocks. The intensity of current was regulated between 15-25 mA. The time of procedure lasted fifteen minutes.

Treatment:

Device: Trabert current