The efficacy of a preparatory phase of a touch-based approach in treating chronic low back pain: a randomized controlled trial

Figures & data

Figure 1 Flow chart of the study.

Abbreviations: TMG, traditional massage therapy group; SMG, experimental massage therapy group; T0, baseline; T1, end of the treatment program; T2, 3-month follow-up.

Figure 2 Traditional rehabilitative massage program.

Notes: Progression of the different phases: surface and deep touch (A), static and dynamic pressure (B), pinching and rolling (C).

Figure 3 Preparatory phase to the massage.

Notes: (A) The pleasant “contact” in the area of the back without pain. (B) The physiotherapist touches the painful area on the back.

Table 1 Demographic and clinical data of participants at baseline

Characteristics of the sample	TMG	SMG
Number of participants	24	27
Age (years)	50.54±9.13	50.77±6.80
Gender
Female	14 (58.33)	15 (55.56)
Male	10 (41.67)	12 (44.44)
Mass (kg)	72.50±13.15	70.07±11.88
Stature (m)	1.70±0.09	1.69±0.08
Body Mass Index (kg/m^2)	24.72±2.55	24.30±2.68
Primary school	0 (0)	0 (0.44)
Secondary School	2 (8.33)	3 (11.11)
High School	10 (41.67)	7 (25.93)
University	12 (50)	17 (62.96)
Employed	16 (66.67)	19 (70.38)
Retired	2 (8.33)	0 (0)
Unemployed	2 (8.33)	2 (7.4)
Never worked (Housewife)	4 (16.67)	6 (22.22)
Married	12 (50)	14 (51.85)
Single	12 (50)	13 (48.15)

Note: Data shown as mean ± standard deviation or n (%).

Abbreviations: TMG, traditional massage therapy group; SMG, experimental massage therapy group.

Table 2 Data and statistical analyses

Scales	TMG			Friedman analysis	SMG			Friedman analysis	TMG versus SMG p-values
	T0	T1	T2	p-value	T0	T1	T2	p-value	T0	T1	T2
Coherence ratio	0.84±0.33	0.89±0.29	0.86±0.29	0.274	0.9±0.27	1.26±0.32	1.13±0.32	<0.001	0.393	<0.001	0.003
HRV	67.70±5.51	66.91±4.91	68.04±6.05	0.005	68.81±4.01	66.48±3.73	67.44±3.45	<0.001	0.392	0.401	0.457
VAS	4.80±0.95	2.53±1.45	2.66±1.48	<0.001	4.82±0.87	1.39±0.89	1.87±1.24	<0.001	0.917	0.005	0.098
Waddell	3.58±1.47	2.41±1.58	2.66±1.37	0.001	3.51±1.34	1.51±1.12	1.88±1.25	<0.001	0.869	0.034	0.044
McGill Tot	29.52±4.34	22.10±6.00	24.01±6.25	<0.001	33.17±11.05	15.11±8.24	18.01±8.09	<0.001	0.124	0.001	0.004
MAIA	23.3±3.87	25.48±4.31	24.96±3.86	<0.001	22.59±4.13	27.78±3.39	26.76±3.68	<0.001	0.546	0.024	0.097
SF-12 PCS	40.88±7.85	44.10±8.14	42.30±9.31	0.011	40.95±5.77	47.40±5.19	44.91±7.85	<0.001	0.858	0.141	0.308
SF-12 MCS	44.73±8.92	47.15±8.55	46.89±8.09	0.033	43.32±7.45	48.42±4.73	47.93±6.47	<0.001	0.417	0.895	0.985

Notes: Within-group analyses were performed using Friedman’s analysis for the two groups at the 3 evaluation times. Between-group statistical analyses were reported in the last 3 columns and refer to p-values of Mann–Whitney U test between (TMG versus SMG) groups for pain (VAS; Waddel Index, McGill Tot), quality of life (SF-12 PCS and SF-12 MCS), interoceptive awareness (MAIA Tot), HRV and coherence ratio. Data shown as mean ± standard deviation. Statistical significance is shown in bold (p<0.05 or p<0.025).

Abbreviations: TMG, traditional massage therapy group; SMG, experimental massage therapy group; HRV, heart rate variability; VAS, visual analog scale; Tot, total; MAIA, Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness Questionnaire; SF-12 PCS, Short Form - 12 health survey – physical health scale; MCS, mental health scale; T0, baseline; T1, end of the treatment program; T2, 3-month follow-up.

Figure 4 VAS at T0, T1, and T2 for the two groups for Mann–Whitney U test.

Notes: The boxes show the lower quartile, median (middle line in box), and upper quartile values. The whiskers represent the most extreme values within 1.5 times the interquartile range from the ends of the box.
Abbreviations: VAS, visual analog scale; TMG, traditional massage therapy group; SMG, experimental massage therapy group; T0, baseline; T1, end of the treatment program; T2, 3-month follow-up.

Figure 5 McGill Pain Questionnaire (McGill Tot) at T0, T1, and T2 for the two groups for Mann–Whitney U test.

Notes: The boxes show the lower quartile, median (middle line in box), and upper quartile values. The whiskers represent the most extreme values within 1.5 times the interquartile range from the ends of the box and the circles represent data with values beyond the ends of whiskers.
Abbreviations: TMG, traditional massage therapy group; SMG, experimental massage therapy group; Tot, total; T0, baseline; T1, end of the treatment program; T2, 3-month follow-up.