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

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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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.

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

Conditions
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Low Back Pain

Intervention / Treatment
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* Device: Trabert current
* Other: Manual massage


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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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

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 40 Years
Maximum Age: 70 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Active Comparator: Patients with manual massage therapy<br>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. | Other: Manual massage<br>* Therapeutic massage is the manipulation of the soft tissue of whole body areas to bring about generalised improvements in health.Massage is thought to work through a mechanical action and a reflex action. A mechanical action is created by moving the muscles and soft tissues of the body using pressure and stretching movement. This mechanical action is based on breaking up fibrous tissue and loosen stiff joints.It may help heal damaged muscle, stimulate circulation, clear waste products via the lymphatic system, boost the activity of the immune system, reduce pain and tension and induce a calming effect.<br>|
| Active Comparator: Patients with Trabert current therapy<br>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. | Device: Trabert current<br>* Trabert current is an interrupted direct current of low frequency (143 Hz) applied via medium sized electrodes supported on a thick moist viscose sponge. These electrodes are placed near the spinal column along the thoracolumbar region. The electrodes are separated from each other by a distance of 3-4 cms.The current is passed through electrodes placed on the body. The intensity of the current is gradually increased short of pain. The feeling should be a pronounced but a comfortable 'tingling' sensation ('comfortably strong'). By doing this, the optimum current strength specific to the patient is found. The intensity of the current is slowly increased in the first few minutes as patients get used to the sensation. It is thought that this current provides pain relief, reduces muscle spasm and increases blood flow.<br>* Other names: Ultra-Reiz current;|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| pain intensity measured by NRS (numerical rating scale) | Numerical raitng scale (NRS) are psychometric measuring instruments designed to document the characteristics of disease-related symptom severity in individual patients and use this to achieve a rapid (statistically measurable and reproducible) classification of symptom severity and disease control. NRS is10-point scale, where 0=no pain and 10=worst possible pain. | NRS was measured before and after 10 days massage and Trabert current therapy groups | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| quality of life measured by Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) | is an index derived from the Oswestry Low Back Pain Questionnaire used by clinicians and researchers to quantify disability for low back pain. The self-completed questionnaire contains ten topics concerning intensity of pain, lifting, ability to care for oneself, ability to walk, ability to sit, sexual function, ability to stand, social life, sleep quality, and ability to travel. Each topic category is followed by 6 statements describing different potential scenarios in the patient's life relating to the topic. The patient then checks the statement which most closely resembles their situation. Each question is scored on a scale of 0-5 with the first statement being zero and indicating the least amount of disability and the last statement is scored 5 indicating most severe disability. The scores for all questions answered are summed, then multiplied by two to obtain the index (range 0 to 100). Zero is equated with no disability and 100 is the maximum disability possible. | ODI was measured before and after 10 days massage and Trabert current therapy groups | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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massage, low back pain, Trabert current, Ultra-Reiz current