Efficacy of Tuina in chronic low back pain with anxiety: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial.

This study examines whether Tuina (traditional Chinese massage therapy) can help people suffering from chronic low back pain who also experience anxiety. Chronic low back pain affects millions of people worldwide and often occurs alongside psychological symptoms like anxiety. Researchers in Shanghai are comparing Tuina massage to traction therapy, which is a common treatment that gently stretches the spine.

The study will enroll 94 patients with chronic low back pain and provide treatments three times per week for four weeks (12 sessions total). Participants receiving Tuina will undergo a four-step massage technique including kneading, rolling, plucking, and oblique pulling movements. The comparison group will receive standard traction therapy. Researchers will measure anxiety levels, pain intensity, quality of life, and blood markers both during treatment and for two months afterward.

This is important because while Tuina is widely used in China for musculoskeletal problems, there hasn't been enough high-quality research to prove how well it works compared to other treatments. The study specifically focuses on anxiety alongside pain, recognizing that chronic pain and mental health are closely connected. If Tuina proves effective, it could offer patients a hands-on treatment option that addresses both physical pain and emotional well-being without medications.

This is a study protocol, meaning the research is planned but results aren't yet available. Once completed, the findings will help patients and doctors make better-informed decisions about using Tuina for chronic low back pain with anxiety. If you're considering Tuina or acupuncture, seek treatment from a qualified, licensed practitioner with proper training in traditional Chinese medicine.

This randomized controlled trial protocol evaluates Tuina versus traction for chronic low back pain (cLBP) with comorbid anxiety. The single-center, assessor-blinded study will randomize 94 patients to receive either four-step Tuina (kneading, rolling, plucking, oblique pulling) or traction therapy, administered three times weekly for four weeks (12 sessions). The primary outcome is Hamilton Anxiety Scale score post-treatment, with secondary outcomes including Visual Analogue Scale, SF-36, serum biomarkers, and genetic testing. Measurements occur at baseline, end of treatment, and 1-2 months post-intervention. This study addresses a significant gap in evidence-based practice, as current literature lacks high-quality comparative studies on Tuina efficacy for cLBP. The inclusion of anxiety as the primary outcome acknowledges the psychosomatic nature of chronic pain conditions. Results may inform clinical decision-making regarding manual therapy selection for patients presenting with cLBP and anxiety comorbidity, potentially offering evidence for non-pharmacological intervention strategies in this population.