Low Back PainNCT07578181
Aromatherapy Massage in Chronic Low Back Pain
A study testing Conventional Physiotherapy and Aromatherapy Massage + Conventional Physiotherapy in people with Low Back Pain, run by Kirsehir Ahi Evran Universitesi at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial 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… Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 65 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Low Back Pain
- What is being tested?
- Conventional Physiotherapy and Aromatherapy Massage + Conventional Physiotherapy
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 70 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 20 May 2025to 20 Aug 2026
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 65 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Age 18-65 years
- Chronic nonspecific low back pain ≥ 6 months
- Volunteering to participate
- Receiving treatment at physical therapy clinic
Who cannot join
- 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
Show all 9Show fewer
- Skin lesions/open wounds in treatment area
- Allergy to lavender, orange, or almond oil
- Positive allergic reaction to patch test
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
Turkey (Türkiye)1 site
Kırşehir Research and Training Hospital, Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Clinic
Kırşehir, Merkez
About this study
Official title: The Effect of Aromatherapy Massage in Individuals With Chronic Nonspecific Low Back Pain: A Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial
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
- Being tested
- Conventional Physiotherapy, Aromatherapy Massage + Conventional Physiotherapy
- Keywords
- Low Back Pain, Aromatherapy, Massage
- Medical subject headings
- Low Back Pain
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Conventional PhysiotherapyOther
Hotpack (10 min) TENS (20 min) Ultrasound (5 min) Stretching \& stabilization exercises (15 min) Frequency: 5 sessions/week for 4 weeks
Aromatherapy Massage + Conventional PhysiotherapyOther
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
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Receives: 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 Receives: Other: Aromatherapy Massage + Conventional Physiotherapy |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
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.
Measured: 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.
Measured: 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.
Measured: Baseline and 4 weeks
Secondary outcomes (6)
Disability (Oswestry Disability Index)
The Oswestry Disability Index consists of 10 items assessing functional disability related to low back pain. Each item is scored from 0 to 5, with total scores converted into percentage disability (0-100%).
Measured: Baseline and 4 weeks
Quality of Life (SF-36)
The SF-36 Health Survey evaluates quality of life across 8 domains including physical functioning, role limitations, pain, general health, vitality, social functioning, emotional role, and mental health. Scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating better health status.
Measured: Baseline and 4 weeks
Anxiety (Beck Anxiety Inventory)
The Beck Anxiety Inventory is a 21-item scale measuring anxiety severity. Each item is scored from 0 to 3, with total scores ranging from 0 to 63.
Measured: Baseline and 4 weeks
Depression (Beck Depression Inventory)
The Beck Depression Inventory consists of 21 items assessing depressive symptoms. Total scores classify depression severity as minimal, mild, moderate, or severe.
Measured: Baseline and 4 weeks
Kinesiophobia (Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia)
The Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia includes 17 items rated on a 4-point Likert scale. Total scores range from 17 to 68, with higher scores indicating greater fear of movement.
Measured: Baseline and 4 weeks
Sleep Quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index)
The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index evaluates sleep quality across 7 components. Total scores range from 0 to 21, with scores above 5 indicating poor sleep quality.
Measured: Baseline and 4 weeks
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted11 May 2026
- Study start20 May 2025
- Primary completion20 Jun 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion20 Aug 2026 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Low Back PainStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Double blind
- Who is masked
- Care provider, Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 70 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Kirsehir Ahi Evran Universitesi
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Atahan TURHAN, Kirsehir Ahi Evran Universitesi
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07578181
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- KAEU-T.ATAHAN-014
- Status last verified
- May 2026
- First submitted
- 5 May 2026
- Last updated
- 11 May 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- Yes
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 11 May 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- The Effect of Aromatherapy Massage in Individuals With Chronic Nonspecific Low Back Pain: A Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07578181
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- KAEU-T.ATAHAN-014
- Conditions
- Low Back Pain
- Keywords
- Low Back Pain, Aromatherapy, Massage
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Enrolling by invitation
- Enrolment
- 70 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Kirsehir Ahi Evran UniversitesiUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 20 May 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 20 Jun 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 20 Aug 2026 (estimated)
- First posted
- 11 May 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
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.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Double blind (care provider, outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Conventional Physiotherapy | Active comparator | Other: Conventional PhysiotherapyHotpack (10 min) TENS (20 min) Ultrasound (5 min) Stretching \& stabilization exercises (15 min) Frequency: 5 sessions/week for 4 weeks |
| Aromatherapy Massage + Conventional Physiotherapy | Experimental | Other: Aromatherapy Massage + Conventional PhysiotherapySame 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 |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 65 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Age 18-65 years
- Chronic nonspecific low back pain ≥ 6 months
- Volunteering to participate
- Receiving treatment at physical therapy clinic
Key exclusion criteria (9 listed)
- History of orthopedic surgery, fracture, trauma
- Inflammatory, rheumatologic, neurological, psychiatric disorders
- Asthma
- Current psychiatric medication use
- Peripheral neuropathy or postherpetic neuralgia
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Conventional PhysiotherapyHotpack (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 PhysiotherapySame 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 |
Primary outcome
McGill Pain Questionnaire
Time frame: Baseline, 4 weeks
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.
Pressure Pain Threshold (Algometer)
Time frame: Baseline, 4 weeks
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.
Central Sensitization Inventory
Time frame: Baseline and 4 weeks
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.
6 secondary outcomes
Disability (Oswestry Disability Index)
Time frame: Baseline and 4 weeks
Quality of Life (SF-36)
Time frame: Baseline and 4 weeks
Anxiety (Beck Anxiety Inventory)
Time frame: Baseline and 4 weeks
Depression (Beck Depression Inventory)
Time frame: Baseline and 4 weeks
Kinesiophobia (Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia)
Time frame: Baseline and 4 weeks
Sleep Quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index)
Time frame: Baseline and 4 weeks
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 11 May 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Conventional Physiotherapy and Aromatherapy Massage + Conventional Physiotherapy in people with Low Back Pain, run by Kirsehir Ahi Evran Universitesi at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 4 inclusion and 9 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: enrolling by invitation, as of the sponsor's last update on 11 May 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye). Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
McGill Pain Questionnaire (time frame: Baseline, 4 weeks). The study lists 3 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 11 May 2026.