Massage of the Low Back Muscles Assessed With Ultrasound Scanning

Phase 1

• Conditions: Myofascial Pain Syndrome
• Interventions: Procedure: Specific massage for fascial release; Other: Quiet non-instructed rest for 3 minutes

• Registration Number: NCT01174667
• Lead Sponsor: Anglo-European College of Chiropractic

Brief Summary

The aim of the study is to use diagnostic ultrasound to compare the thickness of soft tissues in the low back in a group of patients with chronic low back pain treated with massage to a control group of non-treated patients.

It is hypothesized that on average, soft tissue thickness in the lumbar region will change in the group receiving massage compared to the control group.

Detailed Description

A specialized form of massage designed to reduce fascial restrictions will be compared to a no-treatment control group based on a change in thickness of the lumbodorsal fascia as determined by ultrasound imaging.

Study Timeline

• Status Verified: 2010-07
• Study First Submitted: 2010-08-02
• Study First Submitted QC: 2010-08-03
• Last Update Submitted: 2010-08-03
• Study First Posted: 2010-08-04
• Last Update Posted: 2010-08-04
• Study Start: 2010-09
• Primary Completion: 2011-06
• Study Completion: 2011-06

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: UNKNOWN
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 70

Inclusion Criteria

• History of chronic low back pain far at least 3 months
• Able to read and write English
• Between 18-64 years of age

Exclusion Criteria

• Prior lumbar surgery
• Infected or broken skin over the lumbodorsal fascia
• Major structural spinal deformity
• Specific cause of low back pain, such as tumor, infection, fracture
• Bleeding disorders or use of anticoagulant medications
• Pregnancy
• Litigation for low back pain
• Systemic infection

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Fascial massage	Specific massage for fascial release	A specific type of fascial massage to release restricted lumbodorsal fascia.
No treatment control	Quiet non-instructed rest for 3 minutes	Patient will rest quietly without receiving any instruction.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Thickness of lumbodorsal fascia determined by ultrasound imaging	An average of 5 minutes from the the end of first treatment