Effect of exercise and manual therapy or kinesiotaping on sEMG and pain perception in chronic low back pain: a randomized trial.

Authors: P Blanco-Giménez, J Vicente-Mampel, P Gargallo, S Maroto-Izquierdo, J Martín-Ruíz, E Jaenada-Carrilero et al.Journal: BMC musculoskeletal disordersPublished: July 26, 2024DOI: 10.1186/s12891-024-07667-9

Q2 JournalSJR: 1.354h-index: 41SCImago

Strong EvidenceRandomized Controlled Trial

Chronic Lower Back Pain

In Plain Language: lower back pain, explained

This study examined the effects of a 12-week program combining exercises and manual therapy on individuals with chronic low back pain (CLBP). The findings indicated significant reductions in perceived pain levels among participants, suggesting that a combined treatment approach can effectively alleviate symptoms of CLBP, which is important given its prevalence and impact on daily life.

Key Findings: what this randomised trial found about lower back pain

✓Significant reductions in perceived low back pain on the visual analog scale (VAS).
✓Positive changes in muscle activation levels of the rectus abdominis indicated improvements in muscle function.
✓No clear advantage of kinesiotape was observed when combined with the exercise program.

What This Means for You

For individuals suffering from chronic low back pain, considering a treatment that includes both core exercises and manual therapy might provide significant relief. This study shows that such a multimodal approach can lead to a noticeable decrease in pain.

What This Means for Practitioners

Reflexology practitioners can integrate multimodal treatment strategies, including manual therapy and core stabilization exercises, into their practices to enhance patient outcomes for those experiencing chronic low back pain.

Study Design: how this randomised trial was run

Blinding

single blind

Control

active

Duration

12 weeks

Limitations: what it cannot tell you about lower back pain

The study's sample size was not explicitly stated, which limits the generalizability of the findings. There may also be variability in how individuals respond to the treatment modalities.

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Lower back pain: common questions

What does this study say about lower back pain?

What did this study find?

Significant reductions in perceived low back pain on the visual analog scale (VAS). Positive changes in muscle activation levels of the rectus abdominis indicated improvements in muscle function. No clear advantage of kinesiotape was observed when combined with the exercise program.

How strong is this evidence?

This is a randomised trial and we rate its evidence strong. It was published in BMC musculoskeletal disorders, a Q2 journal. This study is indexed here for context; it did not test reflexology itself.

What are the limitations of this study?

The study's sample size was not explicitly stated, which limits the generalizability of the findings. There may also be variability in how individuals respond to the treatment modalities.