The Effect of Graston Technique on Pain, Proprioception, Flexibility, and Disability in Patients with Chronic Non-specific Low Back Pain.

BACKGROUND: Chronic non-specific low back pain (CNLBP) causes significant dysfunction in patients. The Graston Technique (GT) is a new intervention in pain management but there is a lack of evidence in the literature regarding its effectiveness in low back pain.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: This study aims to investigate the effect of GT added to exercise on pain, proprioception, disability, flexibility, and quality of life in individuals with CNLBP.

METHODS: This was a randomized controlled trial with a total of 30 CNLBP patients.

SETTING: Karabük University Training and Research Hospital, Turkey.

PARTICIPANTS: Thirty patients (mean age = 38.46 ± 9.03 years) with CNLBP for at least 12 weeks were included in the study. The patients were randomly divided into two groups intervention and control.

INTERVENTION: Graston was applied three times a week for four weeks in addition to the exercise program in the intervention group, while only the exercise program was applied to the control group.

OUTCOME MEASURES: Pain intensity, pressure pain threshold, proprioception, flexibility, disability, and quality of life were evaluated at the beginning and end of the study.

RESULTS: Significant improvements in pain, disability, and quality of life were found in both the control and intervention groups (P < .05). There was an increase in flexibility and a decrease in proprioception deviation angles of 15° and 30° in the GT group (P < .05). The improvement in pain and disability in the intervention group was significant compared to the control group (P < .05). However, there was no significant difference between the groups regarding pressure pain threshold, flexibility, proprioception, and quality of life (P > .05).

CONCLUSION: GT added to exercise in patients with CNLBP better reduces pain and disability, improves proprioceptive sense, and increases mobility and quality of life. GT may be used as a supportive treatment during the rehabilitation of CNLBP patients.