2024, Volume 17, Issue 5, pp 478 – 485

Impact of Vojta therapy combined with standard care on psychometric and functional parameters in patients with chronic lower back pain: a randomized controlled trial

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Authors and Affiliations

Corresponding author Monica Elena Iosub Doctoral School of Biomedical Sciences,Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, University of Oradea, Oradea, Romania E-mail: monica.restea@yahoo.com

Abstract

Chronic low back pain (LBP) is very common, resulting in functional deficits and significant socio-economic burden. Non-pharmacological treatments, such as physical-psychological therapy, are frequently utilized. Vojta therapy (VT) is a type of physical therapy that effectively enhances the automatic control of body posture. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of combining VT with the usual standard of care (USC) therapy on psychometric and functional parameters in patients with chronic LBP. A total of 148 patients diagnosed with chronic LBP were recruited and randomized into two groups: LBP–VT (n = 82) and LBP–USC (n = 66). Patients were assessed for demographic characteristics, comorbid conditions, clinical findings, health status, pain symptom scales, psychometric, and functional parameters. The LBP–VT group received VT in addition to USC and electrotherapy, while the LBP–USC group received only USC. Initial Hamilton Depression Scale assessments indicated moderate depression, which improved to mild depression post-treatment. The effect of the treatment on self-esteem was significant for the LBP–VT group and moderate for the LBP–USC group. Functional parameters improved in both groups, with the LBP–VT group having significantly better results. Combining VT with standard care, electrotherapy, and massage significantly improved posture, reduced depression associated with functional deficits, and enhanced self-esteem in patients with chronic LBP.

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About this article

PMC ID: 11320620
PubMed ID: 
DOI: 10.25122/jml-2024-0024

Article Publishing Date (print): 5 2024
Available Online: 

Journal information

ISSN Printing: 1844-122X
ISSN Online: 1844-3117
Journal Title: Journal of Medicine and Life

Copyright License: Open Access

This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use and redistribution provided that the original author and source are credited.


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