Massage Therapy for Healthcare Staff
ConditionLow Back Pain
Trial statusRecruiting
Trial phaseNot applicable
Trial typeInterventional
Biological sexAll
Age30-65
SponsorWroclaw University of Health and Sport Sciences
About this trial
The piriformis muscle can be a contributing factor to low back pain (LBP) due to its anatomical proximity to the sciatic nerve and sacroiliac joint. When the piriformis becomes tight or irritated, it may compress or irritate the sciatic nerve-a condition often referred to as piriformis syndrome-leading to pain that radiates from the lower back to the buttock and down the leg.
The goal of this clinical trial is to examine the effectiveness of massage therapy in counteracting symptoms of low back pain (LBP) among healthcare workers. The main question it aims to answer is:
\- Can massage of the piriformis muscle and related musculature effectively reduce symptoms in individuals experiencing LBP linked to myofascial or neuromuscular dysfunction?
Massage therapy targeting the piriformis and associated muscles (e.g., gluteus maximus, medius, and deep hip rotators) can help by:
* Reducing muscle tension and spasms, * Improving local blood circulation, * Alleviating pressure on the sciatic nerve, * Restoring hip mobility and muscle balance.
Eligibility criteria
This trial does not accept healthy volunteersQualifiers
Adult healthcare workers
Aged 30-65 years with chronic nonspecific low back pain for ≥3 months
No medical contraindications to massage therapy
Body mass index (BMI) between 18.5 and 25 kg/m²
Disqualifiers
Massage therapy within the past 3 months
Contraindications to massage therapy
Ongoing physical therapy
Significant medical or psychiatric conditions
Trial design
Design model
Parallel
Treatments tested in this trial
Guidline-basaed massage therapy
Other interventionMassage protocol based on guidelines from the Polish Society of Physiotherapy, the Polish Society of Family Medicine, the College of Family Physicians in Poland, and the European Rural and Isolated Practitioners
Swedish massage
Other interventionA classical form of therapeutic massage that uses a combination of long, flowing strokes, kneading, friction, tapping, and gentle stretching to promote relaxation, improve circulation, and reduce muscle tension. It is typically performed using oil or lotion to reduce friction on the skin. Techniques are applied with light to moderate pressure and are designed to enhance general well-being and support recovery from muscular discomfort or stress
Treatment groups
60 Participants
are divided into 3 treatment groupsGroup A: Guideline-Based Massage Therapy + Self-Massage Group (GMT+SM)Experimental treatment 1 intervention
Group B: Guideline-Based Massage Therapy (GMT)Experimental treatment 1 intervention
Group C: Control group (CG)Active comparator 1 intervention
Trial outcomes
Primary outcomes
1
VAS scale
Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) is a continuous scale consisting of a horizontal line, 100 mm long, anchored by "no pain" (score of 0) and "worst imaginable pain" (score of 10). VAS is frequently used to determine the effectiveness of treatment as an outcome measure. Most studies show that VAS is a valid and reliable scale.
Time frame
From enrollment to the end of treatment at 2 weeks2
ODI
The ODI (Oswestry Disability Index) is a standardized questionnaire used to measure a patient's level of disability due to lower back pain. It assesses how back pain affects a person's ability to manage everyday life.
Time frame
From enrollment to the end of treatment at 2 weeksSecondary outcomes
1
Thermography
Thermal images taken before and after a massage session can be used to observe temperature changes in specific body areas. An increase in surface temperature is often interpreted as a sign of enhanced blood flow, vasodilation, and localized circulation improvement - all considered typical outcomes of massage.
Time frame
From enrollment to the end of treatment at 2 weeks2
Doppler USG
Doppler ultrasound is used to assess blood flow in vessels by measuring changes in the frequency of sound waves reflected from moving red blood cells. Velocity and direction of blood flow can be visualized and quantified in real time. Abnormalities such as blockages, narrowing, or turbulence can be detected without the need for invasive procedures. Color and spectral Doppler modes are typically employed to provide detailed flow information. This method is widely considered a reliable, non-invasive tool in vascular diagnostics. In this project arteria glutea superior and inferior will be assessed.
Time frame
From enrollment to the end of treatment at 2 weeksSponsors and contacts
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Source ClinicalTrials.gov