Effects of percussive massage therapy on fascia echo intensity and fascia thickness in firefighters with chronic non-specific low back pain: a randomized controlled trial
Abstract Background Chronic non-specific low back pain (CNSLBP) is prevalent among firefighters and may negatively affect their job performance. Alterations in the thoracolumbar fascia (TLF) structure are associated with CNSLBP. Percussive massage therapy (PT) has demonstrated potential in modifying...
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2024-11-01
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| Series: | BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-024-04687-9 |
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| author | Chao Yang Ying Li Wiraphong Sucharit Wichai Eungpinichpong Xingyu Huang |
| author_facet | Chao Yang Ying Li Wiraphong Sucharit Wichai Eungpinichpong Xingyu Huang |
| author_sort | Chao Yang |
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| description | Abstract Background Chronic non-specific low back pain (CNSLBP) is prevalent among firefighters and may negatively affect their job performance. Alterations in the thoracolumbar fascia (TLF) structure are associated with CNSLBP. Percussive massage therapy (PT) has demonstrated potential in modifying fascial properties and alleviating pain. However, its effects on TLF structure in CNSLBP patients have not been thoroughly investigated. This study evaluates the effects of 6 weeks of PT on TLF echo intensity, thickness, pain, and disability in firefighters with CNSLBP, utilizing ultrasound imaging as a primary assessment tool. Methods This six-week randomized controlled trial involved 38 firefighters with CNSLBP. Participants were randomly assigned 1:1 to either the PT group (receiving PT and core stability exercise) or the control group (receiving only core stability exercise). TLF echo intensity and thickness were measured using ultrasound imaging, and disability was assessed using the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMQ) at baseline and post-intervention. Pain was measured using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) at baseline, immediately after the first intervention, three weeks post-intervention, and post-intervention. Paired t-tests were conducted to analyze within-group changes in RMQ and ultrasound data, while ANCOVA was used to assess between-group differences, and repeated measures ANOVA for VAS scores. Results Participants in the PT and control groups were aged 26.6±4.1 and 23.6±1.7 years, respectively, with BMI of 23.1±1.8 and 21.8±1.2 kg/m². The PT group showed significant reductions in bilateral TLF echo intensity post-intervention (left side: mean difference -6.4, 95% CI -9.7 to -3.1, p < 0.001, effect size 0.67; right side: mean difference -7.6, 95% CI -11.8 to -3.3, p < 0.01, effect size 0.60). Changes in TLF thickness were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). The PT group demonstrated significantly lower VAS scores than the control group (mean difference - 0.626, 95% CI -1.087 to -0.165, p = 0.009, effect size 0.63). RMQ scores decreased by -1.3 (95% CI -2.1 to -0.4, p < 0.01, effect size 0.5). Conclusion Six weeks of percussive massage therapy significantly reduced thoracolumbar fascia echo intensity, alleviated pain, and improved functional disability in firefighters with chronic non-specific low back pain, but was not effective in altering fascia thickness. Percussive massage therapy emerges as an effective and safe strategy for managing chronic non-specific low back pain in firefighters. Trial registration Retrospectively registered in Thai Clinical Trials Registry (TCTR20221223001) on December 22, 2022. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-931c9963c24140628491168d565e62cf |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2662-7671 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-11-01 |
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| series | BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies |
| spelling | doaj-art-931c9963c24140628491168d565e62cf2024-11-10T12:06:29ZengBMCBMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies2662-76712024-11-0124111210.1186/s12906-024-04687-9Effects of percussive massage therapy on fascia echo intensity and fascia thickness in firefighters with chronic non-specific low back pain: a randomized controlled trialChao Yang0Ying Li1Wiraphong Sucharit2Wichai Eungpinichpong3Xingyu Huang4Department of Human movement sciences, Faculty of physical education, Gannan Normal UniversitySchool of Rehabilitation Medicine, Gannan Medical UniversitySchool of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Khon Kaen UniversitySchool of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Khon Kaen UniversityDepartment of Human movement sciences, Faculty of physical education, Gannan Normal UniversityAbstract Background Chronic non-specific low back pain (CNSLBP) is prevalent among firefighters and may negatively affect their job performance. Alterations in the thoracolumbar fascia (TLF) structure are associated with CNSLBP. Percussive massage therapy (PT) has demonstrated potential in modifying fascial properties and alleviating pain. However, its effects on TLF structure in CNSLBP patients have not been thoroughly investigated. This study evaluates the effects of 6 weeks of PT on TLF echo intensity, thickness, pain, and disability in firefighters with CNSLBP, utilizing ultrasound imaging as a primary assessment tool. Methods This six-week randomized controlled trial involved 38 firefighters with CNSLBP. Participants were randomly assigned 1:1 to either the PT group (receiving PT and core stability exercise) or the control group (receiving only core stability exercise). TLF echo intensity and thickness were measured using ultrasound imaging, and disability was assessed using the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMQ) at baseline and post-intervention. Pain was measured using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) at baseline, immediately after the first intervention, three weeks post-intervention, and post-intervention. Paired t-tests were conducted to analyze within-group changes in RMQ and ultrasound data, while ANCOVA was used to assess between-group differences, and repeated measures ANOVA for VAS scores. Results Participants in the PT and control groups were aged 26.6±4.1 and 23.6±1.7 years, respectively, with BMI of 23.1±1.8 and 21.8±1.2 kg/m². The PT group showed significant reductions in bilateral TLF echo intensity post-intervention (left side: mean difference -6.4, 95% CI -9.7 to -3.1, p < 0.001, effect size 0.67; right side: mean difference -7.6, 95% CI -11.8 to -3.3, p < 0.01, effect size 0.60). Changes in TLF thickness were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). The PT group demonstrated significantly lower VAS scores than the control group (mean difference - 0.626, 95% CI -1.087 to -0.165, p = 0.009, effect size 0.63). RMQ scores decreased by -1.3 (95% CI -2.1 to -0.4, p < 0.01, effect size 0.5). Conclusion Six weeks of percussive massage therapy significantly reduced thoracolumbar fascia echo intensity, alleviated pain, and improved functional disability in firefighters with chronic non-specific low back pain, but was not effective in altering fascia thickness. Percussive massage therapy emerges as an effective and safe strategy for managing chronic non-specific low back pain in firefighters. Trial registration Retrospectively registered in Thai Clinical Trials Registry (TCTR20221223001) on December 22, 2022.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-024-04687-9Thoracolumbar fasciaFascia thicknessPercussive massageLow back painCore stability exercise |
| spellingShingle | Chao Yang Ying Li Wiraphong Sucharit Wichai Eungpinichpong Xingyu Huang Effects of percussive massage therapy on fascia echo intensity and fascia thickness in firefighters with chronic non-specific low back pain: a randomized controlled trial BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies Thoracolumbar fascia Fascia thickness Percussive massage Low back pain Core stability exercise |
| title | Effects of percussive massage therapy on fascia echo intensity and fascia thickness in firefighters with chronic non-specific low back pain: a randomized controlled trial |
| title_full | Effects of percussive massage therapy on fascia echo intensity and fascia thickness in firefighters with chronic non-specific low back pain: a randomized controlled trial |
| title_fullStr | Effects of percussive massage therapy on fascia echo intensity and fascia thickness in firefighters with chronic non-specific low back pain: a randomized controlled trial |
| title_full_unstemmed | Effects of percussive massage therapy on fascia echo intensity and fascia thickness in firefighters with chronic non-specific low back pain: a randomized controlled trial |
| title_short | Effects of percussive massage therapy on fascia echo intensity and fascia thickness in firefighters with chronic non-specific low back pain: a randomized controlled trial |
| title_sort | effects of percussive massage therapy on fascia echo intensity and fascia thickness in firefighters with chronic non specific low back pain a randomized controlled trial |
| topic | Thoracolumbar fascia Fascia thickness Percussive massage Low back pain Core stability exercise |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-024-04687-9 |
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