Table 2.

Data and statistical analyses

Scales	TMG			Friedman analysis	SMG			Friedman analysis	TMG versus SMG p-values
	T0	T1	T2	p-value	T0	T1	T2	p-value	T0	T1	T2
Coherence ratio	0.84±0.33	0.89±0.29	0.86±0.29	0.274	0.9±0.27	1.26±0.32	1.13±0.32	<0.001	0.393	<0.001	0.003
HRV	67.70±5.51	66.91±4.91	68.04±6.05	0.005	68.81±4.01	66.48±3.73	67.44±3.45	<0.001	0.392	0.401	0.457
VAS	4.80±0.95	2.53±1.45	2.66±1.48	<0.001	4.82±0.87	1.39±0.89	1.87±1.24	<0.001	0.917	0.005	0.098
Waddell	3.58±1.47	2.41±1.58	2.66±1.37	0.001	3.51±1.34	1.51±1.12	1.88±1.25	<0.001	0.869	0.034	0.044
McGill Tot	29.52±4.34	22.10±6.00	24.01±6.25	<0.001	33.17±11.05	15.11±8.24	18.01±8.09	<0.001	0.124	0.001	0.004
MAIA	23.3±3.87	25.48±4.31	24.96±3.86	<0.001	22.59±4.13	27.78±3.39	26.76±3.68	<0.001	0.546	0.024	0.097
SF-12 PCS	40.88±7.85	44.10±8.14	42.30±9.31	0.011	40.95±5.77	47.40±5.19	44.91±7.85	<0.001	0.858	0.141	0.308
SF-12 MCS	44.73±8.92	47.15±8.55	46.89±8.09	0.033	43.32±7.45	48.42±4.73	47.93±6.47	<0.001	0.417	0.895	0.985

Notes: Within-group analyses were performed using Friedman’s analysis for the two groups at the 3 evaluation times. Between-group statistical analyses were reported in the last 3 columns and refer to p-values of Mann–Whitney U test between (TMG versus SMG) groups for pain (VAS; Waddel Index, McGill Tot), quality of life (SF-12 PCS and SF-12 MCS), interoceptive awareness (MAIA Tot), HRV and coherence ratio. Data shown as mean ± standard deviation. Statistical significance is shown in bold (p<0.05 or p<0.025).

Abbreviations: TMG, traditional massage therapy group; SMG, experimental massage therapy group; HRV, heart rate variability; VAS, visual analog scale; Tot, total; MAIA, Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness Questionnaire; SF-12 PCS, Short Form - 12 health survey – physical health scale; MCS, mental health scale; T0, baseline; T1, end of the treatment program; T2, 3-month follow-up.