Effectiveness of Massage Therapy Among Healthcare Workers Suffering From Low Back Pain - a Randomized Controlled Trial

Status: Recruiting
Location: See location...
Intervention Type: Other
Study Type: Interventional
Study Phase: Not Applicable
SUMMARY

The piriformis muscle can be a contributing factor to low back pain (LBP) due to its anatomical proximity to the sciatic nerve and sacroiliac joint. When the piriformis becomes tight or irritated, it may compress or irritate the sciatic nerve-a condition often referred to as piriformis syndrome-leading to pain that radiates from the lower back to the buttock and down the leg. The goal of this clinical trial is to examine the effectiveness of massage therapy in counteracting symptoms of low back pain (LBP) among healthcare workers. The main question it aims to answer is: \- Can massage of the piriformis muscle and related musculature effectively reduce symptoms in individuals experiencing LBP linked to myofascial or neuromuscular dysfunction? Massage therapy targeting the piriformis and associated muscles (e.g., gluteus maximus, medius, and deep hip rotators) can help by: * Reducing muscle tension and spasms, * Improving local blood circulation, * Alleviating pressure on the sciatic nerve, * Restoring hip mobility and muscle balance.

Eligibility
Participation Requirements
Sex: All
Minimum Age: 30
Maximum Age: 65
Healthy Volunteers: f
View:

• Adult healthcare workers

• Aged 30-65 years with chronic nonspecific low back pain for ≥3 months

• No medical contraindications to massage therapy

• Body mass index (BMI) between 18.5 and 25 kg/m²

• Provided written informed consent

Locations
Other Locations
Poland
Uniwersytecki Szpital Kliniczny we Wrocławiu
RECRUITING
Wroclaw
Contact Information
Primary
Marcin Piwecki
p665569523@gmail.com
+48 665 569 523
Time Frame
Start Date: 2025-07-31
Estimated Completion Date: 2025-11-15
Participants
Target number of participants: 60
Treatments
Experimental: Guideline-Based Massage Therapy + Self-Massage Group (GMT+SM)
GMT+SM - Massage protocol based on guidelines from the Polish Society of Physiotherapy, the Polish Society of Family Medicine, the College of Family Physicians in Poland, and the European Rural and Isolated Practitioners. Delivered by licensed therapists.~Self-Massage Training:~One in-person instructional session, plus take-home materials (videos and printed instructions).
Experimental: Guideline-Based Massage Therapy (GMT)
GMT - Massage protocol based on guidelines from the Polish Society of Physiotherapy, the Polish Society of Family Medicine, the College of Family Physicians in Poland, and the European Rural and Isolated Practitioners. Delivered by licensed therapists.
Active_comparator: Control group (CG)
Participants receive Swedish massage
Related Therapeutic Areas
Sponsors
Leads: Wroclaw University of Health and Sport Sciences

This content was sourced from clinicaltrials.gov