Randomisierte klinische Studie zur Wirksamkeit einer Kombination aus Matrix/Rhythmus-Therapie und multimodaler stationärer Schmerztherapie bei Patienten mit chronischen lumbalen Rückenschmerzen

Abstract

&Purpose: A randomized controlled clinical trial was implemented to evaluate the eff ectiveness of combined Matrix / Rhythmus therapy (rhythmic relaxation of muscle and connective tissue, 8 -12 Hz) and multimodal indoor rehabilitation in patients suff ering from chronic low back pain as well as of degenerative changes of the lumbal spine confi rmed morphologically by x-ray and / or MR, when compared to the multimodal pain therapy combined with a sensoric stimulation by means of a massage ball. Patients and Methods: A total of 73 patients was randomized onto the respective combined therapeutic schemes according to a block randomisation scheme. According to the trial ' s inclusion criteria all patients suff ered from chronic low back pain and showed morphological degenerations. All patients received a 12 days indoor multimodal pain therapy, which was complemented with a fi ve session schedule of the Matrix / Rhythmus therapy for the intervention group and a fi ve ses sion schedule of a sensomotoric therapy for the control group. On admis sion, two weeks later on withdrawal from the indoor rehabilitation, and three months afterwards the study patients were asked to undergo a questionnaire assessment including the Oswestry questionnaire. The change of the Oswestry total score [ % ] three months after vs. before therapy was defi ned as the primary clinical endpoint of the investigation. The patients in the control group showed a median age of 57 years vs. 54 years in the intervention group (47 % vs. 49 % females, respectively); 33 % vs. 27 % of the patients were classifi ed stage III of chronicity staging according to MPSS. Results: On admission, the control patients reported a median Oswestry index of 54 % , on withdrawal of 63 % and on recall of 61 % . The intervention group showed respective median Oswestry estimates of 64 % , 67 % and 71 % . The