The effects of massage with frankincense and myrrh oil in chronic low back pain: A three-arm randomised controlled trial.

研究概要

Ninety-one patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP) were randomized to receive no massage (control; n=30), carrier-oil Swedish massage with jojoba (n=31), or aromatherapy Swedish massage using 2% frankincense plus 2% myrrh in jojoba (n=30). All groups underwent weekday standard physical therapy for three weeks; the two massage groups additionally received 15-minute lumbar sessions twice weekly (6 sessions total). The primary outcome was pain intensity (VAS). Secondary outcomes included Aberdeen Low Back Pain Scale (ALBPS) and Roland–Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ). Outcomes were assessed at baseline and after three weeks. Overall, the results revealed greater reductions with aromatherapy massage versus both comparator groups for VAS, ALBPS, and RMDQ. In short, adding frankincense–myrrh aromatherapy massage to usual physical therapy produced clinically and statistically larger improvements in pain and disability than carrier-oil massage or no massage over three weeks.