This study will evaluate the effectiveness of two types of massage therapy for treating chronic low back pain.
Americans are increasingly seeking care from massage therapists for relief of chronic back pain. However, while initial studies suggest that massage is beneficial for back pain, we have no information about which of the many types of massage is most helpful. We will be conducting a study that compares two distinct therapeutic massage protocols with each other and with usual care for treating chronic back pain. This study is designed to determine which of these massage protocols will be most effective in reducing pain and increasing functionality in people with low back pain. 399 Group Health members with non-specific low back pain lasting at least 3 months will be randomized to one of the two massage groups or to a control group that receives no treatment beyond their usual care. Massage therapists will provide each participant with 10 treatments over 10 weeks. The primary outcomes, function and bothersomeness of low back pain, will be assessed before treatment begins and 10, 26 and 52 weeks after randomization by interviewers who do not know which treatment the participant received. The results of this study will clarify the value of two different types of massage for treating one of the most common, challenging, and expensive health problems plaguing developed countries. The findings will help physicians make informed and confident referrals, consumers and insurers make safe and cost-effective choices, and massage schools make responsible curriculum decisions.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
399
UP to 10 massages over 10 weeks
Group Health Center for Health Studies
Seattle, Washington, United States
Dysfunction at 10 weeks
Time frame: 10 weeks
Symptom bothersomeness at 10 weeks
Time frame: 10 weeks
Dysfunction at 26 and 52 weeks
Time frame: 26 and 52 weeks
Symptom bothersomeness at 26 and 52 weeks
Time frame: 26 adn 52 weeks
Anxiety at 10, 26 and 52 weeks
Time frame: 10 16 and 52 weeks
Depression at 10, 26 and 52 weeks
Time frame: 10 26 and 52 weeks
Perceived stress at 10, 26 and 52 weeks
Time frame: 10 26 and 52 weeks
Fear avoidance at 10, 26 and 52 weeks
Time frame: 10 26 and 52 weeks
Satisfaction with back care at 10 and 26 weeks
Time frame: 10 and 26 weeks
General health status (SF-36) at 10, 26 and 52 weeks
Time frame: 10, 26 and 52 weeks
Disability days at 10, 26 and 52 weeks
Time frame: 10 26 52 weeks
Medication use at 10, 26 and 52 weeks
Time frame: 10 26 52 weeks
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Adverse experiences at 10 weeks
Time frame: 10 weeks
Perceptions of massage treatments at 10, 26 and 52 weeks
Time frame: 10 26 52 weeks
Use and cost of health care services for back pain at 10, 26 and 52 weeks
Time frame: 10 26 52 weeks