The effect of soft tissue mobilization on pain, disability level and depressive symptoms in patients with chronic low back pain

Abstract

Aim: In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of soft tissue mobilization on pain, disability level, depressive symptoms and to determine the effect of sociodemographic data on the recovery level of patients with chronic non-specific low back pain.

Materials and Methods: One hundred twenty-two participants (78 females, 44 males, mean age: 51.08 +/- 10.78 years) were included in our randomized controlled study. Fifteen sessions (5 days a week; during 3 weeks) of conventional physiotherapy programme (hot-packs, TENS, therapeutic Ultrasound and exercise) were applied in both groups. Nine sessions (3 days a week; during 3 weeks) of soft tissue mobilization technique were performed additionally to the participants in Group 1. Pain intensity (Visual Analog Scale), disability level (Rolland Morris Disability Questionnaire), depressive symptoms (Beck Depression Scale) were examined before and after the treatment.

Results: Decrease in pain intensity, disability level, and depressive symptoms were statistically significant in both groups (p < 0.001) after the treatment. As delta scores were compared, the significant difference between pain intensity and disability level (p < 0.05) was observed whereas reduction in depression level was not significant (p > 0.05).

Discussion: Soft Tissue Mobilization provides an additional benefit to the Conventional Physiotherapy program in reducing pain intensity and disability level in patients with chronic non-specific low back pain.