Effectiveness of an automatic over-water massage device in back pain – an RCT

Naumann J¹, Holland J¹, Guethlin C², Bösch H²

¹Uni-Zentrum Naturheilkunde Freiburg, University Hospital Freiburg, Breisacher Str. 60, Freiburg, D-79106, Germany

²Department of Evaluation Research in Complementary Medicine, University Hospital Freiburg, Hugstetter Str. 55, Freiburg, D-79106, Germany

Objective

To determine the effectiveness of an automatic over-water massage device in patients with back pain.

Materials and methods

A total of 69 patients with back pain (subjective rating over 3 points on a 0–10 scale) were randomised to receive either treatment or waiting. The treatment consisted of five to six treatments over 3 weeks on an automatic over-water massage device (massage bed). The main outcome measure was the medium pain intensity during the last week, rated by patients on a VAS. Other outcome measures were functional impairment in daily life during the last week on a VAS, the Funktionsfragebogen Hannover Rücken (FFbH-R), profile of mood state (POMS) and the Basler Befindlichkeits-Skala (BBS).

Results

Randomisation proved to be successful. There was a significant improvement after treatment in the VAS rating for pain and impairment in daily life compared to the waiting group (P < 0.01) and the state before treatment (P < 0.01). The improvement was maintained partially after 3 months. The other outcomes as measured by the FFbH-R and the POMS showed no improvement in the treatment group.

Conclusion

Despite some shortcomings in this study, we concluded that an automatic massage bed may provide at least short-term symptomatic relief in patients with back pain.

Acknowledgement

This trial was funded by Trautwein, the manufacturer of the investigated automatic over-water massage device.

Top | Next: Single-blind RCT of augmented acupuncture for treating seasonal allergic rhinitis»