. 2025 Sep 5;104(36):e44233. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000044233

Table 3.

Between-group differences at post-intervention time points (T1 and T2) after adjusting for baseline values using ANCOVA.

Index	Group	Baseline (T0; mean ± SE)	After the first intervention (T1)			After the fourth intervention (T2)
Index	Group	Baseline (T0; mean ± SE)	Post-intervention adjustment (mean ± SE)	Mean difference (95% CI)	P-vaule	Post-intervention adjustment (mean ± SE)	Mean difference (95% CI)	P-vaule
TLF thickness (mm)	GG	4.09 ± 0.26	3.74 ± 0.14	−0.15 (−0.56 to 0.26)	.466	3.51 ± 0.16	−0.25 (−0.73 to 0.23)	.297
TLF thickness (mm)	CG	4.18 ± 0.28	3.89 ± 0.14	−0.15 (−0.56 to 0.26)	.466	3.76 ± 0.17	−0.25 (−0.73 to 0.23)	.297
Skin temperature (℃)	GG	35.98 ± 0.05	37.06 ± 0.16	−1.16 (−1.63 to −0.69)	<.001	36.99 ± 0.16	−1.64 (−2.12 to −1.16)	<.001
Skin temperature (℃)	CG	35.98 ± 0.07	38.22 ± 0.16	−1.16 (−1.63 to −0.69)	<.001	38.63 ± 0.17	−1.64 (−2.12 to −1.16)	<.001
Tissue hardness (N/mm²)	GG	60.26 ± 2.26	58.14 ± 1.10	3.15 (−0.17 to 6.45)	.062	53.50 ± 1.18	4.75 (1.21–8.29)	.011
Tissue hardness (N/mm²)	CG	63.03 ± 1.57	54.99 ± 1.14	3.15 (−0.17 to 6.45)	.062	48.75 ± 1.22	4.75 (1.21–8.29)	.011
Pressure pain threshold (kg/cm²)	GG	6.50 ± 0.32	6.02 ± 0.31	0.45 (−0.50 to 1.40)	.336	4.94 ± 0.38	0.07 (−1.07 to 1.22)	.895
Pressure pain threshold (kg/cm²)	CG	5.67 ± 0.42	5.57 ± 0.32	0.45 (−0.50 to 1.40)	.336	4.86 ± 0.39	0.07 (−1.07 to 1.22)	.895
Lumbar flexibility (cm)	GG	5.16 ± 0.26	5.20 ± 0.17	−0.2 (−0.70 to 0.30)	.41	6.27 ± 0.13	0.43 (0.04–0.83)	.033
Lumbar flexibility (cm)	CG	5.00 ± 0.25	5.40 ± 0.17	−0.2 (−0.70 to 0.30)	.41	5.83 ± 0.14	0.43 (0.04–0.83)	.033
VAS (score)	GG	5.36 ± 0.27	4.34 ± 0.14	−0.21 (−0.62 to 0.19)	.294	3.20 ± 0.16	−0.67 (−1.14 to −0.19)	.008
VAS (score)	CG	5.31 ± 0.26	4.55 ± 0.14	−0.21 (−0.62 to 0.19)	.294	3.86 ± 0.17	−0.67 (−1.14 to −0.19)	.008
ODI (score)	GG	6.86 ± 0.43	5.48 ± 0.12	−0.15 (−0.52 to 0.23)	.42	3.67 ± 0.22	−1.22 (−1.90 to −0.54)	.001
ODI (score)	CG	6.08 ± 0.33	5.63 ± 0.13	−0.15 (−0.52 to 0.23)	.42	4.89 ± 0.23	−1.22 (−1.90 to −0.54)	.001

P < .05, statistical significance, indicated in bold.

CI = confidence interval, ODI = Oswestry disability index, PPT = pressure pain threshold, T1 = after the first intervention, T2 = after the fourth intervention, TLF = thoracolumbar fascia, VAS = visual analog scale.