Aromatherapy Massage in Chronic Low Back Pain

NCT07578181 | Enrolling By Invitation DMC

• 1 other identifier: KAEU-T.ATAHAN-014
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 70
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The aim was to investigate the effectiveness of adding aromatherapy massage with a mixture of lavender and orange oil to conventional physical therapy in individuals with chronic nonspecific low back pain on pain, central sensitization, functionality, sleep, quality of life, kinesiophobia, anxiety, and depression in this patient population.

Conditions

Low Back Pain

Keywords

Low Back Pain; Aromatherapy; Massage

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

• McGill Pain Questionnaire

  The McGill Pain Questionnaire Short Form consists of 15 items evaluating sensory and affective dimensions of pain. Each item is scored on a 0-3 Likert scale, with total scores ranging from 0 to 45. Higher scores indicate greater pain severity.

  Baseline, 4 weeks

• Pressure Pain Threshold (Algometer)

  Pressure pain threshold will be measured using an algometer to evaluate sensitivity in predefined anatomical points. The device quantifies the minimum pressure that induces pain.

  Baseline, 4 weeks

• Central Sensitization Inventory

  The Central Sensitization Inventory is a 25-item questionnaire assessing symptoms related to central sensitization. Each item is scored on a 5-point Likert scale (0-4), with total scores ranging from 0 to 100. Higher scores indicate greater central sensitization symptoms.

  Baseline and 4 weeks

Secondary Outcomes (6)

• Disability (Oswestry Disability Index)

  Baseline and 4 weeks

• Quality of Life (SF-36)

  Baseline and 4 weeks

• Anxiety (Beck Anxiety Inventory)

  Baseline and 4 weeks

• Depression (Beck Depression Inventory)

  Baseline and 4 weeks

• Kinesiophobia (Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia)

  Baseline and 4 weeks

Study Arms (2)

Conventional Physiotherapy

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Hotpack (10 min) TENS (20 min) Ultrasound (5 min) Stretching \& stabilization exercises (15 min) Frequency: 5 sessions/week for 4 weeks

Other: Conventional Physiotherapy

Aromatherapy Massage + Conventional Physiotherapy

EXPERIMENTAL

Same conventional physiotherapy protocol Aromatherapy massage: Lavender + orange essential oil (%1.5 in sweet almond oil) 15 min/session 3 sessions/week for 4 weeks Massage techniques: effleurage, petrissage, friction, vibration

Other: Aromatherapy Massage + Conventional Physiotherapy

Interventions

Conventional Physiotherapy OTHER

Hotpack (10 min) TENS (20 min) Ultrasound (5 min) Stretching \& stabilization exercises (15 min) Frequency: 5 sessions/week for 4 weeks

Conventional Physiotherapy

Aromatherapy Massage + Conventional Physiotherapy OTHER

Same conventional physiotherapy protocol Aromatherapy massage: Lavender + orange essential oil (%1.5 in sweet almond oil) 15 min/session 3 sessions/week for 4 weeks Massage techniques: effleurage, petrissage, friction, vibration

Aromatherapy Massage + Conventional Physiotherapy

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 65 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Age 18-65 years
• Chronic nonspecific low back pain ≥ 6 months
• Volunteering to participate
• Receiving treatment at physical therapy clinic

You may not qualify if:

• History of orthopedic surgery, fracture, trauma
• Inflammatory, rheumatologic, neurological, psychiatric disorders
• Asthma
• Current psychiatric medication use
• Peripheral neuropathy or postherpetic neuralgia
• Long-term corticosteroid use
• Skin lesions/open wounds in treatment area
• Allergy to lavender, orange, or almond oil
• Positive allergic reaction to patch test

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Kirsehir Ahi Evran Universitesi: lead

Study Sites (1)

Kırşehir Research and Training Hospital, Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Clinic

Kırşehir, Merkez, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Low Back Pain

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Back Pain; Pain; Neurologic Manifestations; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: DOUBLE
• Who Masked: CARE PROVIDER, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Dr. Lecturer

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: May 5, 2026
• First Posted: May 11, 2026
• Study Start: May 20, 2025
• Primary Completion (Estimated): June 20, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): August 20, 2026
• Last Updated: May 11, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-05

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)