A PROSPECTIVE RANDOMIZED 3-WEEK TRIAL OF SPINAL MANIPULATION, TRANSCUTANEOUS MUSCLE STIMULATION, MASSAGE AND CORSET IN THE TREATMENT OF SUBACUTE LOW-BACK-PAIN

Study Design. A randomized prospective trial of manipulation, massage, corset and transcutaneous muscle stimulation (TMS) was conducted in p atients with subacute low back pain. Objectives. The authors determine d the relative efficacy of chiropractic treatment to massage, corset, and TMS. Summary of Background Data. Although all of these treatments are used for subacute low back pain treatment, there have been few com parative trials using objective outcome criteria. Patients were enroll ed for a period of 3 weeks. They were evaluated once a week by questio nnaires, visual analog scale, range of motion, maximum voluntary exten sion effort, straight leg raising and Biering-Sorensen fatigue test. T he dropout rate was highest in the muscle stimulation and corset group s and lowest in the manipulation group. Rates of full compliance did n ot differ significantly across treatments. A measure of patient confid ence was greatest in the manipulation group. Results. After 3 weeks, t he manipulation group scored the greatest improvements in flexion and pain while the massage group had the best extension effort and fatigue time, and the muscle stimulation group the best extension. Conclusion . None of the changes in physical outcome measures (range of motion, f atigue, strength or pain) were significantly different between any of the groups.