Piriformis-focused and Swedish massage for healthcare workers with low back pain
Official title: Effectiveness of Massage Therapy Among Healthcare Workers Suffering From Low Back Pain - a Randomized Controlled Trial
Run by Wroclaw University of Health and Sport Sciences · NCT07094997 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 30 Years to 65 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 60 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Wroclaw University of Health and Sport Sciences Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Wroclaw, Lower Silesian Voivodeship) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | July 31, 2025 |
| Main results expected | March 2026 |
| Study ends | March 2026 |
| Registry record updated | February 24, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07094997 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a 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.
✕Probably 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.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
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.
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 gone: Previous trials of massage for low back pain have reported modest benefits overall, but high-quality evidence specifically for piriformis-targeted protocols is limited.
Who can join: the full rules
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 it's running
-
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
Similar studies
Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.
-
A novel multi angular isometric lumbar exercise for chronic low back pain
This trial tests MAILE, a new lumbar exercise method, to see if it helps adults with nonspecific chronic low back pain more than standard lumbar stabilization and core exercises.
-
Pain catastrophizing, fear of movement, and activity in postmenopausal women with chronic low back pain
This observational study looks at how negative pain thoughts and fear of moving relate to how active postmenopausal women with long‑standing low back pain are.
-
Analgesia boost from adding a sacral submultifidus block to SIJ injection
This study tests whether adding a sacral submultifidus block to a standard image-guided sacroiliac joint injection provides better pain relief and function for adults with chronic SIJ‑related pain.
-
Telerehabilitation after spine surgery
This trial tests different ways of delivering post-operative instructions to people who had spinal decompression surgery to see how it affects recovery and healthcare use.
-
How patient education helps people with chronic musculoskeletal pain stick to home exercise for pain relief
A structured patient education program is tested to see if it helps people with chronic low back pain, knee osteoarthritis, and shoulder problems stick with their home exercise plan to relieve pain.
-
Core endurance vs segmental stabilization for low back pain in recreational athletes
This trial tests whether core endurance exercises or segmental stabilization exercises better help recreational athletes with non-specific low back pain.
How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.