A comparative study of heat effect between hot pack and Thai herbal ball on pain and physiological changes

Abstract

Heat has been one of the most effective ways to help control pain for thousands of years. Thai herbal ball (THB) is a traditional Thai therapy for pain reduction.  Hot pack (HP) is one of modalities in physical therapy.  The effect of THB compare with HP is just confirmed.  The aim of this study was to compare the immediate effects of pain reduction and physiological parameters between the HP and THB in the subject with low back pain. Twenty-four subjects with low back pain aged 41 ± 8 years were randomized into each condition to conduct a cross over trial.  All parameters were immediately measured at the baseline and after applications of the HP and THB on the back muscle for 20 minutes. The results showed that the VAS reduced both in the HP (1.36, P < 0.01) and THB (1.03, P < 0.001), but no difference was found between conditions.  However, skin temperature significantly increased more in the HP (mean difference = 0.49 C, 95 % CI: 0.06 to 0.91, P < 0.03) and heart rate significantly reduced more in THB (mean difference = -4 beats/min, 95 % CI: -1.13 to -5.37, P < 0.006).  Moreover, pain pressure threshold and thoracolumbar spine range of motion significantly increased after the THB and HP, respectively. In conclusion, both modalities have similar effect on pain reduction in subjects with low back pain. Convenience and extended time of heat therapy are favorable. Thus, application of these products may be attractive for patients with chronic pain.