M S Ajimsha
Hamad Medical Corporation, Qatar
Title: Effectiveness of self myofascial release technique in the management of non-specific low back pain in nursing professionals
Biography
Biography: M S Ajimsha
Abstract
Objective: To investigate whether Self Myofascial Release (SMFR) technique can reduces pain and disability in non-specific low back pain (NSLBP) in comparison with a control group receiving a sham Myofascial release (Sham-MFR) in nursing professionals. Methods: Design: Randomized, controlled, single blinded trial. Participants: Nursing professionals (N=57) with NSLBP. Interventions: SMFR group or control group. The SMFR were administered by the nurses themselves whereas the sham-MFR was applied by physical therapists in a predetermined dosage (16 sessions /4 weeks). Main outcome measure: The McGill Pain Questionnaire (MPQ) for subjective pain experience and Quebec Back Pain Disability Scale (QBPDS) to assess the disability associated with NSLBP. The primary outcome measure was the difference in MPQ and QBPDS scores between week 1 (pretest score), week 4 (posttest score), and follow-up at week 12 after randomization. Results: The simple main effects analysis showed that the SMFR group performed better than the control group in weeks 4 and 12 (P<0.005). The patients in the SMFR group reported a 62.6% reduction in their pain and 36.3% reduction in functional disability as shown in the MPQ and QBPDS scores in week 4, whereas patients in the control group reported a 11.5% and 4.6% reduction in their MPQ and QBPDS scores in week 4, which persisted as a 43.8% reduction of pain and 29.2% reduction of functional disability in the follow-up at week 12 in the SMFR group compared to the baseline. The proportion of responders, defined as participants who had at least a 50% reduction in pain between weeks 1 and 4, was 63% in the SMFR group and 0 in the control group. Conclusion: This study provides evidence that SMFR can be a useful tool in the management of NSLBP in nursing professionals than a control. A cost and time benefit analysis can be undertaken in the future studies. A major section of nursing professionals with NSLBP might benefit from the use of SMFR and can be taught as a LBP prevention strategy for nursing professionals.