Study Summary

Seventy-eight patients with acute or subacute low back pain related to myofascial pain were randomized to receive oxygen-ozone (O2O3) injections followed by proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) or O2O3 injections followed by a Back School rehabilitation program. The primary outcome of interest was pain intensity assessed using the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS). Secondary outcomes of interest included disability measured by the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and quality of life assessed with the EuroQol-5D-3L (EQ5D3L). Outcomes were assessed at baseline, 8 weeks, 12 weeks, and at 6 months from baseline. Overall, the results of the study revealed that both groups experienced significant improvements in pain, disability, and quality of life following O2O3 therapy and rehabilitation interventions. However, the PNF group demonstrated greater reductions in pain and disability scores compared with the Back School group, particularly at the completion of physical therapy. These findings suggest that combining O2O3 injections with PNF may provide superior functional recovery and pain relief in patients with low back pain.