Comparative Study the Efficacy of Thai Massage and Analgesic Drug (Diclofenac) to Relief Shoulder Pain - การศึกษาเปรียบเทียบประสิทธิผลการนวดไทยกับการใช้ ยาไดโคลฟีแนค (Diclofenac) ในการลดอาการปวดบ่า

Abstract

The objective of this study was to compare the effectiveness of Thai massage and a analgesic
drug, diclofenac, in the reduction of shoulder pain. It was conducted as a case-control study comprising
of a study group and a control group, 30 volunteers eash. The study group received Royal Thai massage
two times per week for four weeks; and the results were assessed during the follow-up session at 2 days
after the last session. The control group received 25 mg of diclofinac, 3 doses per day for 7 days,
followed by physician instruction whether addtional dosages were needed; and a similar data collection
form as the study group was used. The control volunteers were appointed for following-up on day 1, 7
and 32. Assessment of effectiveness was performed by comparing the span of angle movement and
pressure pain threshold; and the data were analyzed using the t-test between the 2 groups and the pair
t-test within each group. It was found that most volunteers were female employees aged 31-40. The
nature of their worh required long standing, long walking or desk typing. Both groups had dull shoulder
pain for the period of 6 months to 1 year. As for the effectiveness assessment, volunteers in the study
group had significantly better flexibility at neck and shoulder muscle (p<0.05). However, the test for
shoulder pain endurance at the left and right side revealed that those who used diclofinac could endure
the pain more than those who had massage. The authors concluded that Thai massand should be an
option for pain reduction and improvement of joint flexibility. This traditional wisdom could also help
reducing complication from routine use of analgesic medicine.
Key words: efficacy, shoulder pain, Thai massage, diclofenac