Retrospective Cohort Study of Fascial Release Therapy on Pain,Balance,and Functional Outcomes in Patients with Chronic Low Back Pain

Abstract

Background

Chronic low back pain (CLBP) significantly impacts patients’ quality of life. While fascial release therapy is widely used, its comprehensive efficacy remains underexplored.

Objective

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of fascial release therapy combined with routine care on CLBP patients over 8 weeks.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study analyzed 90 CLBP patients (2021–2025), divided into the fascial release therapy group (n = 45) and the conventional rehabilitation group (n = 45). Outcomes included pain intensity [numerical rating scale (NRS)], disability [Roland–Morris disability questionnaire (RMDQ)], balance [timed up and go (TUG)], psychological status [depression, anxiety, and stress scale—21 items (DASS-21)], quality of life [12-item short form survey (SF-12)], and exercise compliance [exercise adherence rating scale (EARS)].

Results

The fascial release therapy group demonstrated significantly greater improvements than the conventional group in all measures: lower NRS (1.92 ± 0.83 vs 4.51 ± 1.22) and RMDQ scores (4.83 ± 2.34 vs 9.72 ± 3.52); reduced depression, anxiety, and stress (DASS-21); better physical (48.54 ± 5.11 vs 41.83 ± 5.93) and mental (52.34 ± 5.79 vs 46.51 ± 6.32) health (SF-12); improved balance (TUG: 7.21 ± 1.13 s vs 9.42 ± 1.63 s); and higher exercise compliance (16.52 ± 2.94 vs 11.82 ± 3.53). All between-group differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

In this study, fascial release therapy, combined with conventional care, was associated with multidimensional clinical improvements in patients with CLBP, particularly in pain relief, functional recovery, psychological status, and exercise adherence. These findings suggest that the combined intervention may offer comprehensive benefits. However, due to limitations in the study design, the results should be interpreted as evidence of association. Causal inferences require further validation through prospective, randomized controlled trials.