Effect of traditional thai massage on muscle oxygen saturation in low back pain patients: A preliminary study

Abstract

Low Back Pain (LBP) is a common disease found in every age that affects daily life. LBP may cause poor posture of the lumbar spine, and decrease muscle performance which leads to muscle fatigue, reduce blood circulation and reduce muscle oxygen saturation. Traditional Thai Massage (TTM) has been used to treat patients with LBP for a long time with some evidence that it could increase muscle flexibility, improve blood circulation and decrease pain. However, its effect on muscle oxygen saturation has not been explored. This study uses one group pretest-posttest design to preliminary determine this effect. Twenty-three subjects (6 males and 17 females) who had non-specific LBP participated. Each of them was measured on muscle oxygen saturation, visual analog scale (VAS) and Sorensen's test before and immediately after having a 15-minute session of TTM. These measures were compared before and after those of a 15-minute rest period. The results showed significantly increase in muscle oxygen saturation (p < 0.01), increase endurance of back extension (p < 0.05), decrease pain intensity (3.46±2.65) (p < 0.01) and decrease anxiety level (4.04±2.30) (p < 0.01) after received TTM. In conclusion, TTM could improve muscle oxygen saturation level, decrease pain intensity, decrease anxiety level and increase the duration of hold while performing back muscle endurance tests.