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Standardised 25-Step Traditional Thai Massage (TTM) Protocol for Treating Office Syndrome (OS)
Wiraphong Sucharit1, Neil Roberts2, Wichai Eungpinichpong1
1Research Center in Back, Neck, Other Joint Pain and Human Performance (BNOJPH), School of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences (AMS), Khon Kaen University (KKU), Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand.
Traditional Thai massage (TTM) offers a new standardized 90-minute protocol for office syndrome. This approach significantly reduced pain and improved patient outcomes, paving the way for further clinical trials comparing TTM to physical therapy.
Area of Science:
- Complementary and Alternative Medicine
- Musculoskeletal Disorders
- Rehabilitation Therapy
Background:
- Traditional Thai massage (TTM) is an ancient practice for health and well-being.
- Office syndrome (OS) is a common condition characterized by pain, often linked to myofascial trigger points (MTrPs).
- A standardized TTM protocol for OS is needed to ensure consistent and effective treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and evaluate a standardized 90-minute TTM protocol for treating office syndrome (OS).
- To assess the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of the TTM protocol based on therapist and patient satisfaction, pain intensity, and pain pressure threshold.
Main Methods:
- A 90-minute TTM protocol with 25 distinct steps was developed.
- Eleven TTM therapists administered the protocol to three OS patients each.
- Patient outcomes were measured using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for pain intensity and the pain pressure threshold (PPT).
Main Results:
- Therapists reported high satisfaction (>80%) and confidence in delivering the protocol.
- Patients reported high satisfaction (>80%) with the TTM treatment.
- Significant reductions in VAS pain scores (2.33 cm) and significant increases in PPT (0.37 kg/cm²) were observed (p < 0.001 and p < 0.05, respectively).
Conclusions:
- The developed 90-minute TTM protocol is a viable and satisfactory treatment for office syndrome.
- The protocol demonstrated preliminary efficacy in reducing pain and improving pain pressure threshold.
- The standardized TTM protocol is ready for further investigation in a randomized control trial (RCT) against conventional physical therapy (PT).
