Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain: Nonpharmacologic, Noninvasive Treatments.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of massage or myofascial release in improving chronic musculoskeletal pain conditions such as low back pain, hip and knee osteoarthritis, and fibromyalgia.
Results Summary
The study found that massage or myofascial release yields a small improvement in low back pain, hip and knee osteoarthritis, and fibromyalgia. The benefits were modest but consistent across these conditions.
Population
Patients with chronic low back pain, hip and knee osteoarthritis, and fibromyalgia.
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
Not specified
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
various forms of exercise | increase | pain and function | patients with chronic pain | - | support the effectiveness | #1 |
Cognitive behavior therapy and mindfulness techniques | increase | chronic low back pain | - | small to moderate short- and long-term improvement | appear to be effective | #2 |
Cognitive behavior therapy | increase | fibromyalgia | - | small short- and intermediate-term improvement | may also be effective | #3 |
Spinal manipulation | increase | chronic neck and low back pain | - | small | leads to a small benefit | #4 |
Acupuncture | increase | low back pain | - | small to moderate | has a small to moderate benefit | #5 |
Acupuncture | increase | nonpain fibromyalgia symptoms | - | small | has a small benefit | #6 |
Massage or myofascial release | increase | low back pain, hip and knee osteoarthritis, and fibromyalgia | - | small | yields a small improvement | #7 |
Low reactive level laser therapy | increase | chronic neck and low back pain | - | short-term | may provide short-term relief | #8 |
ultrasound | increase | knee osteoarthritis | - | short-term | may provide short-term pain relief | #9 |
Multidisciplinary rehabilitation | increase | pain and function for chronic low back pain and fibromyalgia | - | short- and at least intermediate-term improvement | may be effective | #10 |
Chronic low back pain, neck pain, hip and knee osteoarthritis, and fibromyalgia are the most common types of chronic musculoskeletal pain. Because no individual therapy has consistent benefit, a multimodal treatment approach to chronic musculoskeletal pain is recommended. Many nonpharmacologic, noninvasive treatment approaches yield small to moderate improvement and can be used with pharmacologic or more invasive modalities. Systematic reviews and guidelines support the effectiveness of various forms of exercise in improving pain and function in patients with chronic pain. Cognitive behavior therapy and mindfulness techniques appear to be effective for small to moderate short- and long-term improvement of chronic low back pain. Cognitive behavior therapy may also be effective for small short- and intermediate-term improvement of fibromyalgia. Spinal manipulation leads to a small benefit for chronic neck and low back pain. Acupuncture has a small to moderate benefit for low back pain and small benefit for nonpain fibromyalgia symptoms. Massage or myofascial release yields a small improvement in low back pain, hip and knee osteoarthritis, and fibromyalgia. Low reactive level laser therapy may provide short-term relief of chronic neck and low back pain, and ultrasound may provide short-term pain relief for knee osteoarthritis. Multidisciplinary rehabilitation may be effective for short- and at least intermediate-term improvement in pain and function for chronic low back pain and fibromyalgia. Patients should be encouraged to engage in a variety of therapies aligned with their preferences and motivation.