Piriformis-focused and Swedish massage for healthcare workers with low back pain
Effectiveness of Massage Therapy Among Healthcare Workers Suffering From Low Back Pain - a Randomized Controlled Trial
NA · Wroclaw University of Health and Sport Sciences · NCT07094997
This trial will try piriformis-targeted and Swedish massage to see if they reduce chronic low back pain in healthcare workers aged 30–65.
Quick facts
| Phase | NA |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 60 (estimated) |
| Ages | 30 Years to 65 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Wroclaw University of Health and Sport Sciences (other) |
| Locations | 1 site (Wroclaw, Lower Silesian Voivodeship) |
| Trial ID | NCT07094997 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This randomized interventional study enrolls adult healthcare workers with chronic nonspecific low back pain to compare guideline-based (piriformis-focused) massage and Swedish massage. Participants are randomized to receive regular professional massage sessions targeting the piriformis and surrounding hip musculature, delivered by trained therapists at a single hospital site. Primary outcomes include changes in pain intensity and functional status over the treatment period, with exclusion of those receiving recent massage, ongoing physical therapy, or who have significant medical or psychiatric conditions. Standardized treatment protocols and objective outcome measures are used to improve reproducibility and clinical relevance.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adult healthcare workers aged 30–65 with chronic nonspecific low back pain for at least 3 months, BMI 18.5–25 kg/m², no massage within the past 3 months, no ongoing physical therapy, and ability to attend in-person sessions and provide informed consent.
Not a fit: People with specific red-flag causes of back pain, recent massage, ongoing physical therapy, significant medical or psychiatric conditions, or BMI outside 18.5–25 are unlikely to be eligible or to benefit from this protocol.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, these massage approaches could provide a non-drug option that reduces pain and improves function for healthcare workers with chronic low back pain.
How similar studies have performed: Previous trials of massage for low back pain have reported modest benefits overall, but high-quality evidence specifically for piriformis-targeted protocols is limited.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Adult healthcare workers * Aged 30-65 years with chronic nonspecific low back pain for ≥3 months * No medical contraindications to massage therapy * Body mass index (BMI) between 18.5 and 25 kg/m² * Provided written informed consent Exclusion Criteria: * Massage therapy within the past 3 months * Contraindications to massage therapy * Ongoing physical therapy * Significant medical or psychiatric conditions
Where this trial is running
Wroclaw, Lower Silesian Voivodeship
- Uniwersytecki Szpital Kliniczny we Wrocławiu — Wroclaw, Lower Silesian Voivodeship, Poland (RECRUITING)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Krzysztof K Principal Investigator — Department of Massage and Physiotherapy, Wroclaw University of Health and Sport Sciences, Wroclaw, Poland
- Study coordinator: Marcin Piwecki
- Email: p665569523@gmail.com
- Phone: +48 665 569 523
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions: Low Back Pain, Randomiezed controlled trial, Massage therapy