Table 1.
Summary of results for studies included in the Cochrane Review on massage therapy (MT) for low back pain
| Study | n | Pain duration | Control conditions | Outcomes | Findings (Mean reduction in pain) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hsieh et al. (1992) (6)** | 63 | Not stated | Spinal manipulation (SM); Corset (CT); | ||
| Transcutaenous | Oswestry Low Back Pain Q’aire | SM (20) > MT (9.2) | |||
| muscular stimulation (TMS) | Roland-Morris Activity Scale | (SM = CT) > MT; SM > TMS | |||
| Cherkin et al. (2001) (11)** | 262 | 61%= | Acupuncture (AC); Self-care education (SC) | Symptom scale (0–10) | MT (2.6) > SC (1.5) |
| >1 year | 1 year F/U | MT (3.0) = SC (2.3); MT > AC (1.7) | |||
| Roland Disability Scale | MT > SC; MT > AC | ||||
| 1 year F/U | MT = SC; MT > AC | ||||
| Use of Medications (1 year F/U) | MT > SC; MT > AC | ||||
| SF-12 (Physical Health) | MT > SC | ||||
| 1 year F/U | MT = SC = AC | ||||
| SF-12 (Mental Health) | MT > SC; MT > AC | ||||
| 1 year F/U | MT = SC = AC | ||||
| Hernandez-Reif et al. | 24 | Not stated but >6 m | Progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) | VAS pain intensity (0–10) | MT (3.9) > PMR (1.6) |
| (2001) (10)* | McGill Pain Questionnaire | MT = PMR | |||
| Range of Motion (ROM) | MT > PMR | ||||
| Hoehler et al. (1981) (13)* | 95 | 48–52% < 1 m | SM | Patient-rated pain (unspecified scale) | MT = SM |
| 17–29% > 6 m | Straight-leg raise | MT = SM | |||
| Pope et al. (1994) (7)** | 164 | 29% < 6 m | SM; TMS; CT | VAS pain intensity (0–10) | MT (17.2) = SM (24.1) = TMS (9.6) = CT (15.9) |
| 35% = 6–12 m | ROM (flexion/extension) | MT = SM = TMS = CT | |||
| 36% > 2 years | Maximum voluntary extension effort | MT = SM = TMS = CT | |||
| Sorensen fatigue test | MT = SM = TMS = CT | ||||
| Godfrey et al. (1984) (12)* | 81 | Not stated but <14 days | SM; Low-level electrical stimulation (LES) | Pain, stiffness, tenderness (0–4) | MT = SM = LES |
| Daily activities (0–4) | MT = SM = LES | ||||
| Self-reported limitations due to pain | MT = SM = LES | ||||
| Fingertip flexion test | MT = SM = LES | ||||
| Melzack et al. (1983) (14)** | 41 | Mean = 36.2 wks | Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) | McGill Pain Questionnaire (PRI) | TENS (85%) > MT (38%) (>50% reduction on PRI) |
| Straight-leg raise | TENS > MT | ||||
| Back Flexion | TENS = MT | ||||
| Preyde et al. (2000) (9)** | 98 | Mean range = 12.0–14.8 wks | Soft-tissue manipulation (STM); Exercise (EX); | Roland Disability Questionnaire | CMT (5.9) > EX (0.3), SL (0.4); STM (5.2) > EX, SL |
| Sham laser therapy (SL) | 1 month F/U | CMT (6.8) > EX (1.5), SL (0.7); (STM (5.7) = EX) > SL | |||
| Note: Above were compared with Comprehensive Massage Therapy (CMT) which included STM and EX | Lumbar ROM | CMT = STM = EX = SL |