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Title
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Fascia tissue manipulations in chronic low back pain : a pragmatic comparative randomized clinical trial of the 4xT Method® and exercise therapy
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Author
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Abstract
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| Background: The 4xT method is a protocolized practice in treating musculoskeletal disorders. The 4xT method consists of four components: Test (functional diagnostic test), Trigger (fascia tissue manipulations), Tape (elastic taping), and Train (exercise). There is a lack of clinical studies evaluating the treatment effects of the use of the 4xT method. Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted to compare the effectiveness of the 4xT method and exercise therapy-only in patients with chronic nonspecific low back pain. Based on a priori sample size calculation, fifty-one individuals with chronic nonspecific low back pain were randomly assigned to either the 4xT or exercise group. Both groups underwent a six-week rehabilitation program with two treatments per week. The primary outcomes were trunk flexion and extension mobility, trunk flexion, and extension mobility-dependent pain, and quality of life evaluated during a 6-week therapy period and after a 6-week therapy-off period. Results: Interaction effects were noted in all outcomes. The 4xT group showed significant improvements over time for trunk flexion and extension mobility, trunk flexion and extension mobility-dependent pain, and quality of life (p < 0.05), with no significant relapse post-therapy (except for extension mobility). The exercise group exhibited significant within-time changes in the quality of life, as measured with the VAS (p < 0.05), but not for EQ-5D-3L. Conclusions: The results of this study demonstrate that the 4xT method stands out as a promising and impactful treatment option for chronic nonspecific low back pain individuals, as it demonstrated significant reductions in mobility-dependent pain, increased trunk mobility, and improved quality of life compared to exercise-only treatments. |
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Language
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English
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Source (journal)
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Life
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Publication
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2024
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ISSN
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2075-1729
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DOI
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10.3390/LIFE14010007
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Volume/pages
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14
:1
(2024)
, p. 1-18
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Article Reference
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7
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ISI
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001152867900001
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Pubmed ID
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38276256
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Full text (Publisher's DOI)
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Full text (open access)
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