Riassunto dello studio

This prospective randomized controlled trial had 42 participants randomized to receive either conventional physiotherapy plus classical massage or conventional physiotherapy plus placebo massage. One participant in the classical massage group withdrew, resulting in 41 patients completing the three-week intervention and included in the final analysis (20 classical massage, 21 placebo massage). The intervention program consisted of 15 sessions over three weeks. Primary outcomes were pain intensity at rest, during activity, and at night measured using the visual analog scale, and spinal mobility assessed using the Modified Schober Test. Secondary outcomes included disability measured by the Oswestry Disability Index, psychological status measured by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and quality of life assessed using the SF-36. Outcomes were assessed at baseline and at the end of week three. Overall, the results of the study revealed that both groups demonstrated significant short-term improvements in pain, mobility, and disability. However, only the group receiving classical massage showed clinically meaningful improvement in disability and significant improvement in the physical component of quality of life, suggesting an added benefit of classical massage beyond placebo massage when combined with conventional physiotherapy.