ABSTRACT The article is about the study of the effectiveness of massage therapy for sub acute low-back pain. The study was conducted by comparing comprehensive massage therapy, two components of massage therapy, which are soft-tissue manipulation and remedial exercise with posture education, and placebo of sham laser therapy for the treatment of sub acute low-back pain. The subjects for each group were given six treatments within a month. After a month of study, most of the subjects in the comprehensive massage therapy group reported that their sub acute low back pain is completely gone, while majority of the subjects from the other treatment groups reported that they still have pain. Thus, it was concluded that massage therapy is an effective remedy for patients with sub acute low back pain.

INTRODUCTION The introduction clearly states its objective which is to compare the effects of comprehensive massage therapy, soft-tissue manipulation, remedial exercise with posture education, and a placebo of sham laser therapy for treating sub acute low back pain. The researcher states that this study is relevant as many people experience low back pain but no studies were conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of massage therapy as its treatment.

METHODS AND PROCEDURES The article clearly stated how the subjects were recruited and the criteria they used in selecting their subjects. They recruited their subjects through email, flyers, and advertisements. They screened the subjects by telephone using the following criteria: existence of sub acute low back pain, absence of significant pathology, no pregnancy, and stable health. The subjects were randomly assigned to one of the four treatment groups. The duration of the study was also clearly stated. Subjects were given six treatments within a month. Subjects were also called back a month after treatment ended for follow up and treatment measures. The various treatments used in the study were described in detail. The subjects in the comprehensive massage therapy group were given self-tissue manipulation techniques lasting between 30 and 35 minutes to treat their sub acute back pain. Subjects were also taught stretching exercises and were encouraged to participate in strengthening exercises. They were also educated with posture and body mechanics. Subjects in the soft-tissue manipulation group received only soft-tissue manipulation techniques to treat their back pain. Subjects in the remedial exercise group received only remedial exercise and posture education to treat their back pain. Although the article didn’t specifically state if blinding procedures were used, a placebo control group was used for comparison. The subjects in the placebo group were given sham laser therapy that lasted for about 20 minutes and was set up to look like the subject is being treated but is not. Various tests and indexes were used to measure the outcome of the study. The Roland Disability Questionnaire and McGill Pain Questionnaire were used to measure the primary outcome measures of the study, which are functionality and pain. The secondary outcome measures of the study, anxiety and lumbar range of motion, were measured by the State Anxiety Index and Modified Schober Test. The researcher chose the right type of tests to measure the outcome of the study as these tests have shown reliability and validity and have also been used in various trials of the treatment of low back pain.

RESULTS The article described the results of the study in detail. There were three tables included in the article. Table 1 showed the profile of the study. It showed the number of subjects who withdrew from the study and the number of subjects who completed the trial. Table 2 showed the baseline characteristics of the subjects in each treatment group. Lastly, Table 3 showed the outcome data. It showed the mean and standard deviation of the various tests used to measure the outcome per treatment group.

DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION The researcher concluded that comprehensive massage therapy have the best effect in improving pain, and both comprehensive massage therapy and self-tissue manipulation showed clinical significance for the improvement of function. Although the researcher identified limitations in the study, like the use of a single setting or use of a specific form of massage therapy, the conclusions of the study are consistent with its objective and results. Despite its limitations, this study can be considered to have credible results as certain procedures were done to eliminate flaws in the study, like making a control group for comparison, randomly assigning treatments to qualified subjects, or using registered massage therapists to conduct treatment.