A comparison of the effects of connective tissue massage and classical massage on chronic mechanical low back pain

BACKGROUND

The study aimed to compare the effects of connective tissue massage (CTM) and classical massage (CM) in patients with chronic mechanical low back pain on pain and autonomic responses and to determine the most effective manual therapy method.

METHODS

Seventy individuals with chronic mechanical low back pain were randomly divided into CTM (n = 35) and CM (n = 35) groups. The participants were given a 4-week treatment protocol consisting of a hot pack, exercise, and CTM or CM for 20 sessions. A visual analog scale was used to measure pain intensity. Heart rate, blood pressure, and skin temperature were measured for the evaluation of autonomic responses. In addition, disability (Oswestry disability index), quality of life (short form 36), and sleep quality (Pittsburgh sleep quality index) were evaluated. Participants were assessed before and after the 4-week treatment period as well as at the end of the 6-week follow-up period. In addition, visual analog index measurements were repeated at the end of each treatment week.

RESULTS

Pain intensity was decreased in both groups (P < .05). However, CM was more effective than CTM at the end of the 2nd week (P < .05). In autonomic responses results, there were increases in peripheral skin temperatures in both groups (P < .05). Disability, quality of life, and sleep quality improved in both groups (P < .05). There were no differences between the groups relating to autonomic responses, disability, quality of life, and sleep quality (P > .05).

CONCLUSION

The results of this study showed that massages were similar effect. The fact that CM is a frequently used technique in pain management and is as effective as CTM in autonomic responses will make it more preferred in the clinic.

Short-Term Effects of Connective Tissue Massage After Hysterectomy: A Randomized Controlled Study

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of connective tissue massage (CTM) on postoperative pain severity, first passage of flatus and the first defecation, and functionality in patients after total laparoscopic hysterectomy (TLH) or total abdominal hysterectomy (TAH).

METHODS

A total of 60 patients who underwent TLH or TAH were included in the study. Patients who underwent TLH were randomly grouped as TLH-CTM (n = 15) and TLH control (n = 16), and those who underwent TAH were randomly grouped as TAH-CTM (n = 14) and TAH control (n = 15). CTM was applied twice postoperatively at the third hour and after 24 hours. The pain severity scores and functional activity limitation levels of the patients were evaluated with the visual analog scale. The number of analgesics use and first passage of flatus and the first defecation were recorded.

RESULTS

The first passage of flatus and the first defecation after surgery were shorter in the TLH-CTM and TAH-CTM groups compared with the TLH and TAH control groups (P < 0.001). The first passage of flatus and the first defecation, pain intensity, and analgesics use of the TLH-CTM group were the lowest among all groups (P < 0.05). The improvement in functionality level in the TLH-CTM group was higher than those in the other groups (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

This study showed that CTM reduced postoperative pain severity, use of analgesics, first passage of flatus, and first defecation after TAH or TLH.

Comparison of Pelvic Floor Muscle Training With Connective Tissue Massage to Pelvic Floor Muscle Training Alone in Women With Overactive Bladder: A Randomized Controlled Study

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of a 6-week program of pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) plus connective tissue massage (CTM) to PFMT alone in women with overactive bladder (OAB) symptoms on those symptoms, pelvic floor muscle strength, and quality of life.

METHODS

Thirty-four participants were randomly divided into PFMT+CTM (n = 17) and PFMT (n = 17) groups. PFMT was applied every day and CTM was applied 3 days a week for 6 weeks. Before treatment, at week 3, and after treatment (week 6), we assessed pelvic floor muscle strength (with a perineometer), bladder symptoms (with a urine diary), OAB symptom severity (with the 8-item Overactive Bladder Questionnaire [OAB-V8]), urgency (with the Patient Perception of Intensity of Urgency Scale [PPIUS]), and quality of life (with King's Health Questionnaire [KHQ]). The Mann-Whitney U test, χ² test, Friedman test, and Dunn multiple comparison test were used for analysis.

RESULTS

In both groups, pelvic floor muscle strength increased, whereas OAB symptoms and PPIUS and KHQ scores decreased after treatment (P < .05). Although the OAB-V8, PPIUS, and KHQ scores decreased at week 3, frequency, OAB-V8, and PPIUS scores, in addition to some parameters of the KHQ, decreased after treatment in the PFMT+CTM group compared to the PFMT group (P < .05).

CONCLUSION

Compared to PFMT alone, PFMT+CTM achieved superior outcomes in reducing OAB symptoms in the early and late periods.