title: The effectiveness of Swedish massage with aromatic ginger oil in treating chronic low back pain in older adults: a randomized controlled trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the effects of Swedish massage with aromatic ginger oil (SMGO) on chronic low back pain and disability in older adults compared with traditional Thai massage (TTM).
  
  
  METHODS
  Randomized controlled trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  Massage clinic in Ratchaburi province, Thailand.
  
  
  METHODS
  164 patients were screened; 140 were eligible, and randomized to either SMGO (n=70) or TTM (n=70).
  
  
  METHODS
  Trained staff provided participants with a 30-min SMGO or TTM twice a week for five weeks.
  
  
  METHODS
  The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) assessed immediate effect (after each massage) and the short form McGill Pain Questionnaire (MPQ) assessed effectiveness of massage in short-term (six weeks) and long-term (15 weeks). Disability improvement was measured by the Owestry Disability Questionnaire (ODQ) at baseline, short- and long-term.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Both SMGO and TTM led to significant improvements in pain intensity (p<0.05) and disability (p<0.05) across the period of assessments, indicating immediate, short- and long-term effectiveness. SMGO was more effective than TTM in reducing pain (p=0.04) and improving disability at short- and long-term assessments (p=0.04).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings suggest that the integration of either SMGO or TTM therapy as additional options to provide holistic care to older people with chronic low back pain could be considered by health professionals. Further research into the use of ginger as an adjunct to massage therapy, particularly TTM, is recommended.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing and Midwifery, Griffith University, 170 Kessels Road, Nathan, QLD 4111, Australia; Centre for Health Practice Innovation (HPI), Griffith Health Institute, Griffith University, 170 Kessels Road, Nathan, QLD 4111, Australia; College of Nursing, Christian University of Thailand, 144 Moo 7, Don Yai Hom, Muang, Nakhonpathom 73000, Thailand. Electronic address: netchanok.sritoomma@griffithuni.edu.au.
authors.forename: Netchanok
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sritoomma
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing and Midwifery, Griffith University, 170 Kessels Road, Nathan, QLD 4111, Australia; Centre for Health Practice Innovation (HPI), Griffith Health Institute, Griffith University, 170 Kessels Road, Nathan, QLD 4111, Australia. Electronic address: w.moyle@griffith.edu.au.
authors.forename: Wendy
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Moyle
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing and Midwifery, Griffith University, 170 Kessels Road, Nathan, QLD 4111, Australia; Centre for Health Practice Innovation (HPI), Griffith Health Institute, Griffith University, 170 Kessels Road, Nathan, QLD 4111, Australia. Electronic address: m.cooke@griffith.edu.au.
authors.forename: Marie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cooke
authors.affiliation: Centre for Health Practice Innovation (HPI), Griffith Health Institute, Griffith University, 170 Kessels Road, Nathan, QLD 4111, Australia. Electronic address: s.odwyer@griffith.edu.au.
authors.forename: Siobhan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: O'Dwyer
mesh_terms: D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D020939:Zingiber officinale / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008405:Massage / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009822:Oils, Volatile / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D009822:Oils, Volatile; D010938:Plant Oils
keywords: Ageing; Chronic low back pain; Massage; Randomized controlled trial