Objectives: To investigate the effects of myofascial release therapy (MRT) on pain, number of trigger points (TP), pressure pain threshold (PPT), cervical range of motion (ROM), neck disability, and quality of life in the neck pain due to cervical myofascial pain syndrome (MPS). In this prospective study, patients in Group I (n=30) underwent a standard physical therapy program. Patients in Group II (n=30) additionally underwent MRT 3 days a week. Before and on the 15th day after treatment, patients' pain was measured by visual analog scale (VAS), TP numbers by palpation, PPTs by pressure algometer, cervical ROM by goniometer, disability by Neck Disability Index (NDI) and quality of life by Nottingham Health Profile (NHP) was evaluated.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
60
Myofascial release therapy (MRT) is a manual therapy technique that involves gradual stretching by a therapist or the individual, acting on the muscles and surrounding fascia. Its effects include increasing joint range of motion and mobility of soft tissues, eliminating imbalances in muscle tone, reducing muscle pain, reducing stress on joints, and increasing neuromuscular efficiency.
Ufuk University
Ankara, Çankaya, Turkey (Türkiye)
Visual analog scale (VAS)
The patients were asked to mark the severity of their neck pain at rest and with movement on a 10-centimeter (cm) line on the 1st and 15th days (0: minimum 10: maximum). The higher the measured value, the greater the pain intensity.
Time frame: 2 weeks
Trigger Point Numbers
In order to detect the trigger points, the neck and back regions of the patients were evaluated by palpation by the physician.
Time frame: 2 weeks
Pressure Pain Threshold
Pressure pain threshold (PPT) was measured with a pressure algometer (Commander\[JTECH medical\]). The disc head of the pressure algometer was placed on the trigger point at a 90° angle. Before the application, the patient was asked to describe the pain when he/she first felt it.
Time frame: 2 weeks.
Cervical Joint Range of Motion (ROM)
Cervical ROM measurements were evaluated actively and passively with a goniometer.
Time frame: 2 weeks
Neck Disability Index
Disability was evaluated with the Neck Disability Index. This questionnaire, which evaluates subjective symptoms and daily living activities, consists of a total of 10 sections (pain intensity, personal care, lifting, reading, headache, concentration, work life, driving, sleep, and leisure activities).
Time frame: 2 weeks
Nottingham Health Profile
Quality of life was assessed with the Nottingham Health Profile. The scale consists of two parts. The first part consists of a total of 38 items, where each item is answered yes or no. This section has a total of 6 sub-dimensions: pain, emotional reactions, sleep, social isolation, physical activity, and energy. The second part consists of 7 items that question whether there are problems in business life, housework, social life, interpersonal relationships, sexual life, hobbies, and holidays, which are the areas of daily life that are most likely to be affected due to the person's health condition, and each item is answered yes or no.
Time frame: 2 weeks
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