Interest of DBM Fasciatherapy for Physiotherapy in the Care of Patients Suffering From Non-Specific Chronic Low Back Pain: a Cluster Randomized Multicenter Clinical Trial

Low back pain (LBP) is pain localized below the costal margin and above the inferior gluteal folds. It may be associated with radiculalgia. Non-specific LBP refers to LBP without specific problems such as infection, inflammation, vertebral fracture or cancer. Chronic LBP is a LBP lasting more than 3 months.

The causes of LBP remain unknown. While there are recommendations for physiotherapy, the protocol of care is not well defined. New therapeutic models centered on neurophysiology are replacing biomechanics-based models. New programs centered on patient education and a biopsychosocial approach are emerging.

Research has shown the possible involvement of fascia in LBP and the interest of manual fascia therapies in the treatment of LBP. To date, there are no studies that have shown the effects of fasciatherapy in the treatment of non-specific LBP.

In France, many physiotherapists use this type of treatment and more specifically fasciatherapy. French physiotherapists say that it may improve their management of LBP. Studies on fasciatherapy have highlighted the effects of fasciatherapy in the management of fibromyalgia pain, the treatment of anxiety, malaise and the improvement of body perception. They show the multidimensional actions of fasciatherapy and support its clinical, functional and psychosocial evaluation for LBP.

Fasciatherapy is part of the manual therapies that target their action on the fascial system. This "patient-centered" technique is a biopsychosocial and humanistic approach to health. The manual and gestural approaches of the fascia are part of the Non-Pharmaceutical Interventions field. Fasciatherapy involves manual and gestural interventions, with the objective of restoring the contractile, elastic and movement properties of the fascia in order to provide relief, improve function and quality of life for patients.

In France, fasciatherapy is not part of recommendations and is not recognized by the Conseil National de l'Ordre des Masseurs-Kinésithérapeutes.

This study aims to assess the effects of fasciatherapy on LBP and to evaluate how it could contribute to its management for physiotherapists. It is a cluster randomized trial conducted on 180 subjects. Intensity of pain (measured with VAS) is the primary outcome. The secondary outcomes are the impact of LBP on daily life (Dallas Pain Questionnaire), on quality of life (SF-12 questionnaire), on anxiety (STAI questionnaire), and the evolution of drug consumption.

The study will take place in France and the treatment structures will be the practitioners' practice.