Japhet Ndayisenga, Tomoliyus, Bm. Wara Kushartanti, Ilham, Deby Tri Mario, Hakim Irwandi Marpaung, Aydin Karaçam, Niyazi Sidki Adigüzel, Vlad Adrian Geantă
Background: Back musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are a significant cause of pain and functional impairment, frequently arising from workplace activities and poor lifestyle habits. Despite the introduction of various rehabilitation programs, many fail to deliver sustained improvements in pain relief and functional recovery. Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a newly developed, integrative therapeutic model combining massage therapy and targeted exercise interventions for the rehabilitation of back musculoskeletal disorders. Materials & Methods: A quasi-experimental design was employed, utilizing mixed methods to assess the impact of the intervention. The study involved 24 participants, comprising 5 males and 19 females aged 28 to 62. All participants were diagnosed with back musculoskeletal injuries. They were selected through purposive sampling. The intervention consisted of therapeutic massage sessions and structured exercise regimens aimed at improving flexibility, strength, and range of motion (ROM). Data were collected through field trials, with key outcome measures including pain levels (assessed via self-reported questionnaires), ROM (measured using a goniometer), and muscle strength (evaluated through sit-up and leg press performance tests). Statistical analysis was conducted using paired t-tests and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests to determine significant differences between pre-and post-intervention results. Results: The findings revealed statistically significant improvements across all measured variables. Participants reported reduced pain levels, increased ROM, and enhanced muscular strength post-intervention, with a p-value of less than 0.05, indicating the effectiveness of the therapeutic model. These results suggest that the integrative approach combining massage and exercise significantly contributes to alleviating pain and improving functional outcomes in individuals with back MSDs. Conclusion: The newly developed therapeutic massage and exercise model proved highly effective in reducing pain, increasing range of motion, and improving muscular strength among individuals suffering from back musculoskeletal disorders. This integrative approach shows promising results for enhancing rehabilitation outcomes and may serve as a viable option for addressing the limitations of traditional rehabilitation methods. © 2024, Editura Universitatii din Pitesti. All rights reserved.
Institute of Physical Education and Sports, University of Burundi, Burundi; Faculty of Sport and Health, Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta, Indonesia; Faculty of Sports Science, Universitas Negeri Padang, Indonesia; Politeknik Kesehatan YRSU Dr Rusdi, Indonesia; Faculty of Sports Sciences, Bandırma Onyedi Eylül University, Türkiye; Doctoral School of Sport Science and Physical Education, National University of Science and Technology, Polyethnic Bucharest-Pitesti University Center, Romania; Aurel Vlaicu University of Arad, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport, Romania
