Massage therapy effects in a long-term prosthetic user with fibular hemimelia.
Paraules clau
Resum
BACKGROUND
Individuals with lower limb amputation (LLA) commonly experience low back pain (LBP). Although massage effects on LBP are well-documented, research regarding massage for individuals with LLA is scarce.
OBJECTIVE
This study evaluated the effectiveness of massage therapy to promote activity level, decrease LBP, and improve health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in a long-term prosthetic user.
METHODS
The 50-day study consisted of two baseline sessions, seven treatment sessions that included a 50-min massage applied to major gait muscles, and two follow-up sessions. Pedometer-measured ambulatory activity level, visual analog scale-measured pain level, and RAND-36 Health Survey 1.0-determined HRQOL were assessed.
RESULTS
Pain level decreased, HRQOL increased, and no change occurred in ambulatory activity level.
CONCLUSIONS
For the participant, therapeutic massage intervention lead to successful LBP symptom management.
