None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
Low back pain (LBP) is induced by muscle strain, namely quadratus lumborum and other superficial back muscles strain, hypermobility syndrome at the lumbar region. Mechanism of pain is proposed due to imbalance of back muscle leading to unrecovered chronic low back pain. The complexity of pain behaviors related to ambulation difficulty, unemployment, functional limitation, and reduced quality of life. Alternative management of low back pain by addressing myofascial complex namely superficial backline in restoring optimal soft tissue and muscle function is sparse. Previous studies showed the consistent results of acute effect of myofascial release employed manually or using adjunct (i.e., foam roller) on the plantar surface, quadriceps, and hamstring improved flexibility among healthy subjects. However, trials to investigate the short-term effects of myofascial release technique on pain, muscle function, and disability were limited in adults with chronic low back pain, a small sample size, poor study design, as well as a high risk of bias. We hypothesized self-myofascial release treatment improves muscle flexibility and performance hence prevent chronicity of low back pain. This present study is proposed to examine the effect of self-myofascial release on the plantar surface on pain, muscle function, and disability in individuals with non-specific chronic low back pain, A pilot randomized controlled trial was conducted. A total of 70 eligible participants were randomly assigned into two groups: intervention and control groups. The intervention groups (n=35) were performed self-myofascial release using a tennis ball on the plantar surface of the foot for a short period of two minutes for each foot. The control group (n=35) performed hamstring stretching, each lift up and hold for 5 seconds, repeated 6 times, with no rest between repetitions. Each participant was instructed to perform twice a week for a period of 6 weeks. All patients were being received reminders via phone call or WhatsApp weekly to improve exercise adherence. The primary outcome includes lumbar flexibility measured by sit and reach test. The secondary outcomes include pain measured by the visual analog scale. The limitations of daily living activities measured by the Malay and English version of modified Oswestry Disability Index questionnaire. The stress level is measured by the Malay or English versions of the Perceived Stress Scale.
Interventions
Intervention group
An experienced physiotherapist has conducted a demonstration session of self-myofascial release using a tennis ball rolling on one foot at a time.
The participants were administered with self-myofascial release to the plantar fascia using a tennis ball while seated. Participants were instructed to apply an even pressure of 6/10 (considering 0 - no pain and 10 - maximum pain) using the visual analog scale (VAS) as a guideline throughout the self-myofascial release. Incorporat
Intervention group An experienced physiotherapist has conducted a demonstration session of self-myofascial release using a tennis ball rolling on one foot at a time. The participants were administered with self-myofascial release to the plantar fascia using a tennis ball while seated. Participants were instructed to apply an even pressure of 6/10 (considering 0 - no pain and 10 - maximum pain) using the visual analog scale (VAS) as a guideline throughout the self-myofascial release. Incorporating the VAS in administered treatment enables some form of uniformity about pressure applied onto the plantar fascia. The rhythm of rolling at 4 beats per direction, at a rate of 70 beats per minute for a total duration of 2 minutes for each foot (Wilke et al. 2018). Participants were practiced twice a week for a period of 6 weeks. Each participant was provided a handout specially designed for this study as a reference for the participants to continue their home exercise program. Participants were required to record the exercises performed in an exercise diary. They were contacted by the researcher every week to review compliance and advice will be provided if participants had any concerns
Sponsors
Universiti Teknologi MARA
Study design
Allocation
Randomised controlled trial
Intervention model
Parallel
Primary purpose
Treatment
Masking
Blinded (masking used) (Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
20 Years to 55 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
1. Individuals within the ages of 20-55 years 2. lower back pain diagnosed by Doctor within the past 6 months 3. Has acquired an office job/job requiring manual labour for more than 6 months 4. Has not received any surgical/conservative treatment prior to diagnosis
Exclusion criteria
1. Major Injuries of the lower limb/spine in the past 6 months (e.g. fractures, dislocations, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, malignant tumours, infectious spine) 2. Identified health problems such as nerve involvement or compression, spinal disorders (i.e. Spondylolisthesis, Herniated nucleus pulposus) 3. Surgical interventions in the past year i.e. Total Hip Replacement and Total Knee Replacement spine operation 4. Pregnant 5. Hypermobility will judge by Beighton score (Beighton & Horan,1969)
Outcome results
None listed