A comparison of the effects of connective tissue massage and classical massage on chronic mechanical low back pain.

BACKGROUND: The study aimed to compare the effects of connective tissue massage (CTM) and classical massage (CM) in patients with chronic mechanical low back pain on pain and autonomic responses and to determine the most effective manual therapy method. METHODS: Seventy individuals with chronic mechanical low back pain were randomly divided into CTM (n = 35) and CM (n = 35) groups. The participants were given a 4-week treatment protocol consisting of a hot pack, exercise, and CTM or CM for 20 sessions. A visual analog scale was used to measure pain intensity. Heart rate, blood pressure, and skin temperature were measured for the evaluation of autonomic responses. In addition, disability (Oswestry disability index), quality of life (short form 36), and sleep quality (Pittsburgh sleep quality index) were evaluated. Participants were assessed before and after the 4-week treatment period as well as at the end of the 6-week follow-up period. In addition, visual analog index measurements were repeated at the end of each treatment week. RESULTS: Pain intensity was decreased in both groups (P < .05). However, CM was more effective than CTM at the end of the 2nd week (P < .05). In autonomic responses results, there were increases in peripheral skin temperatures in both groups (P < .05). Disability, quality of life, and sleep quality improved in both groups (P < .05). There were no differences between the groups relating to autonomic responses, disability, quality of life, and sleep quality (P > .05). CONCLUSION: The results of this study showed that massages were similar effect. The fact that CM is a frequently used technique in pain management and is as effective as CTM in autonomic responses will make it more preferred in the clinic.

Determining the relationship of kinesiophobia with respiratory functions and functional capacity in ankylosing spondylitis.

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a common inflammatory rheumatic disease that affects the axial skeleton, causes inflammatory lower back pain, and structural and functional disorders, which affect quality of life negatively.The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of kinesiophobia in AS on pulmonary function tests (PFTs) and functional performance.Thirty-one individuals with AS (n = 19 male, n = 12 female) who were suitable on the basis of the Modified New York (MNY) criteria were included in the study. The participants were given the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI), the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI), the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Metrology Index (BASMI), in addition to the Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia (TKS), PFTs, respiratory muscle strength, pain evaluation, and 6-minute walking test (6MWT).The mean values were found as the following: TKS, 41.65 ±â€Š7.59; pain visual analog scale (VAS) score, 6.23 ±â€Š2.86; forced vital capacity (%) (FVC), 75.35% ±â€Š17.92%; forced expiratory volume in first second (%) (FEV1), 73.45% ±â€Š17.20%; FEV1/FVC (%), 75.58% ±â€Š15.99%; peak expiratory flow (%) (PEF), 54,90% ±â€Š20.21%; forced expiratory flow at 25% to 75% (FEF25-75), 77.71% ±â€Š27.05%; maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP), 62.06 ±â€Š31.68; maximal expiratory pressure (MEP), 95.94 ±â€Š36.60; 6MWT, 445.88 ±â€Š99.48. The scores obtained in TKS were found related to the values of FVC (%), FEV1 (%), chest expansion, BASFI, modified Schober test, lumbar lateral flexion, cervical rotation, and total BASMI score (r = -0.43, -0.36, -0.41, 0.42, -0.49, -0.56, -0.52, 0.56, respectively; P < .05).Kinesiophobia is a condition that may arise in individuals with AS, which has negative effects. Physiotherapists have a responsibility to eliminate kinesiophobia beliefs and prefer therapy method in line with this responsibility.