title: A comparison of the effects of 2 types of massage and usual care on chronic low back pain: a randomized, controlled trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Few studies have evaluated the effectiveness of massage for chronic low back pain.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To compare the effectiveness of 2 types of massage and usual care for chronic back pain.
  
  
  METHODS
  Parallel-group randomized, controlled trial. Randomization was computer-generated, with centralized allocation concealment. Participants were blinded to massage type but not to assignment to massage versus usual care. Massage therapists were unblinded. The study personnel who assessed outcomes were blinded to treatment assignment. (ClinicalTrials.gov registration number: NCT00371384)
  
  
  METHODS
  An integrated health care delivery system in the Seattle area.
  
  
  METHODS
  401 persons 20 to 65 years of age with nonspecific chronic low back pain.
  
  
  METHODS
  Structural massage (n = 132), relaxation massage (n = 136), or usual care (n = 133).
  
  
  METHODS
  Roland Disability Questionnaire (RDQ) and symptom bothersomeness scores at 10 weeks (primary outcome) and at 26 and 52 weeks (secondary outcomes). Mean group differences of at least 2 points on the RDQ and at least 1.5 points on the symptom bothersomeness scale were considered clinically meaningful.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The massage groups had similar functional outcomes at 10 weeks. The adjusted mean RDQ score was 2.9 points (95% CI, 1.8 to 4.0 points) lower in the relaxation group and 2.5 points (CI, 1.4 to 3.5 points) lower in the structural massage group than in the usual care group, and adjusted mean symptom bothersomeness scores were 1.7 points (CI, 1.2 to 2.2 points) lower with relaxation massage and 1.4 points (CI, 0.8 to 1.9 points) lower with structural massage. The beneficial effects of relaxation massage on function (but not on symptom reduction) persisted at 52 weeks but were small.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Participants were not blinded to treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Massage therapy may be effective for treatment of chronic back pain, with benefits lasting at least 6 months. No clinically meaningful difference between relaxation and structural massage was observed in terms of relieving disability or symptoms.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine.
authors: Group Health Research Institute, Seattle, Washington 98101, USA.
authors: Daniel C
authors: DC
authors: Cherkin
authors: Karen J
authors: KJ
authors: Sherman
authors: Janet
authors: J
authors: Kahn
authors: Robert
authors: R
authors: Wellman
authors: Andrea J
authors: AJ
authors: Cook
authors: Eric
authors: E
authors: Johnson
authors: Janet
authors: J
authors: Erro
authors: Kristin
authors: K
authors: Delaney
authors: Richard A
authors: RA
authors: Deyo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D017048:Health Care Costs; D006801:Humans; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008405:Massage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D012064:Relaxation Therapy; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult