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

• Published in: Alternative therapies in health and medicine Vol. 30; no. 4; pp. 24 - 30
• Main Authors: Yana, Metehan, Güneş, Musa, Şimşek, Ayşe, Apaydın, Aydın Sinan, Akıncı, Cevat, Özmen, Tarık
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States InnoVision Health Media, Inc 01.04.2024
• Subjects: Back pain; Clinical trials; Manipulative therapy; Osteoporosis; Patients; Proprioception; Quality of life; Range of motion
• ISSN: 1078-6791

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. 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. This was a randomized controlled trial with a total of 30 CNLBP patients. Karabük University Training and Research Hospital, Turkey. 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. 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. Pain intensity, pressure pain threshold, proprioception, flexibility, disability, and quality of life were evaluated at the beginning and end of the study. 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). 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.