Effectiveness of Theragun and Ergonomic Advice in Patients with Low Back Pain among Bus Drivers - A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: Low back pain (LBP) is a major health issue affecting millions of people world-wide (Pope et al., 2002a) and common disorder involving the muscles, nerves, and bones of the back. The goal of ergonomics is to ensure a good fit between the workers and their job, thereby maximizing worker comfort, safety and health, productivity and efficiency. Due to vibration, blood circulation is improved to have a thermal effect. Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of Theragun in low back pain and ergonomics advice among bus drivers. Study Design: Randomized Controlled Trail. Method: The study population consisted of thirty participants who had undergone low back pain. The subjects were randomly allocated into two groups: An Experimental Group (n-15) and A Control Group (n-15). The participants who allocated to an experimental group was completed fifteen sessions of classic PT for 3 weeks (5 sessions per week) Study setting in OPD, Nootan College of Physiotherapy at Sankalchandpatel University. Outcome Measure: NPRS (numeric pain rating scale), Oswestry low back pain disability. Result: In group A Experimental (Thergun and ergonomic advice) and group B Control, all data was expressed as mean ? SD and was statistically analyzed using paired ?t? test and independent ?t? test to determine the statistical difference among the parameters at 0.5% level of significance. Statistical data of NPRS and Oswestry low back pain disability scores showing that, the Theragun showed more significant effect in the low back pain subjects, with the significant value of p less than 0.01 for the post treatment data. Conclusion: In this study we conclude that Theragun machine and ergonomic advice to give greater improvement in pain and functional performance in low back pain among bus drivers