Author: Semira Manolaki1, Ioannis Gkiatas2, Spyridon Sioutis3, Jimmy Georgoulis3, Andreas F Mavrogenis4, George S Sapkas4, Evangelos Alexopoulos1, Christine Darviri1
Affiliation: <sup>1</sup> Stress Management and Health Promotion Unit, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, School of Medicine, Athens, Greece.
<sup>2</sup> Department of Orthopaedics, University Hospital of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece.
<sup>3</sup> First Department of Orthopaedics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, School of Medicine, Athens, Greece.
<sup>4</sup> First Department of Orthopaedics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, School of Medicine, ATTIKON University Hospital, Athens, Greece.
Conference/Journal: J Long Term Eff Med Implants
Date published: 2021 Aug 9
Other:
Volume ID: 31 , Issue ID: 2 , Pages: 39-44 , Special Notes: doi: 10.1615/JLongTermEffMedImplants.2021037026. , Word Count: 187
Low back pain (LBP) is a common problem, affecting 11% of the population in Greece. Pain can last upwards of 6 wk and impact functional ability and quality of life. Treating LBP often includes the use of alternative methods, such as relaxation techniques. We tested whether relaxation techniques could reduce stress and pain and improve quality of life. Patients engaged in methods such as diaphragmatic breathing, progressive muscular relaxation, autogenic training, and guided imagery. The treatment group consisted of 31 randomized patients and the control group had 33. The treatment group followed an 8-wk relaxation program with weekly sessions and practiced techniques every day by listening to a compact disk at home (2×/d). The control group did not follow relaxation techniques. No statistically significant differences were present regarding the Perceived Stress Scale, body-mass index, and satisfaction with functional ability. However, statistically significant differences were found in the Brief Pain Inventory score and multidimensional locus of control. We also found decreases in all three cortisol measurements for the treatment group. Relaxation techniques provide positive results in pain reduction and cortisol decrease and must therefore be incorporated into rehabilitation protocols.
PMID: 34348011 DOI: 10.1615/JLongTermEffMedImplants.2021037026