Auteurs

BERTRAND Isabelle, DUPUIS Cyril, PEREIRA Bruno, LAMBERT Céline, COURRAUD Christian

Introduction

Chronic low back pain is a common concern in physiotherapy practice [1]. Emerging research highlights the potential involvement of the fascial system in its pathophysiology [2]. Despite growing interest in fascia-focused approaches, no studies have yet demonstrated the efficacy of fasciatherapy in treating non-specific low back pain. However, physiotherapists who integrate fasciatherapy into their practice report positive outcomes in pain management [3].

Objective

The aim of this study is to evaluate the relevance and efficacy of fasciatherapy in the treatment of chronic low back pain, compared to physiotherapy [4].

Method/analysis

Sixty physiotherapists trained in fasciatherapy were randomly assigned to three groups of 20: conventional physiotherapy (C), mixed physiotherapy with fasciatherapy (M), and fasciatherapy alone (F). Each patient received five sessions lasting 30 to 45 minutes, spread over a maximum of three months.The primary outcome was pain, assessed before and after each session using a visual analogue scale (VAS). Secondary outcomes included functional assessment (Dallas-DPQ), quality of life (SF-12), and anxiety levels (STAI-Y). Quantitative data are presented as mean ± standard deviation or median [25th; 75th percentiles]. Statistical analysis was conducted using linear mixed models, with results expressed as effect size and 95% confidence intervals (CI)

Results

A total of 188 patients were included: 63 in group C, 62 in group M, and 63 in group F. The patients (66% women) had a mean age of 46.7 ± 7.6 years (Table 1).

The median duration of low back pain was 72 months [20; 180]. At inclusion, patients reported moderate pain levels. A statistically significant reduction in pain was observed after five sessions in group F. However, this reduction was not significantly different from that observed in groups C and M.

A significant inter-group difference was found for STAI-Y state, with a greater reduction in anxiety after five sessions in groups F and M compared to group C. Regarding the Dallas-DPQ functional scale, occupational and leisure activities improved more in group M than in group C. Additionally, SF-12 scores showed a significantly greater improvement in the mental component in group M compared to group C, and in the physical component in group M compared to group C.

Conclusion

This study demonstrates that both physiotherapy and fasciatherapy have significant efficacy in reducing pain in patients with chronic low back pain. It also highlights the specific benefits of fasciatherapy in patient management. Notably, fasciatherapy stands out for its significant impact on anxiety, while the combination of both approaches proves relevant in enhancing quality of life.

Furthermore, this study provides valuable insights into physiotherapists’ interest in fasciatherapy and the broader field of fascia research.