Myofascial release therapy in patients with cervical myofascial pain syndrome: A randomized-controlled trial

This study aims to investigate the effects of myofascial release therapy (MRT) added to standard physical therapy and rehabilitation practices on neck pain, trigger point (TP) numbers, pressure pain threshold (PPT), cervical joint range of motion (ROM), neck disability and quality of life in patients with cervical myofascial pain syndrome (MPS).

This prospective, randomized-controlled trial included a total of 60 patients (8 males, 52 females; mean age: 41.6±12.5 years; range, 20 to 65 years) aged between 18 and 65 years who reported neck pain persisting for over one month and satisfied the Travell and Simons criteria for MPS diagnosis between December 2021 and September 2022. The patients in Group 1 (n=30) underwent a standard physical therapy program. Patients in Group 2 (n=30) additionally underwent MRT three days a week. Before and on Day 15 after treatment, patients' pain was evaluated by Visual Analog Scale (VAS), TP numbers by palpation, PPTs by pressure algometer, cervical ROM by goniometer, disability by Neck Disability Index (NDI), quality of life by Nottingham Health Profile (NHP).

The VAS scores, TP numbers, PPTs, cervical ROM values, NDI, and NHP scores exhibited a significant improvement posttreatment compared to pretreatment in both groups (p<0.001). Considering the changes after treatment, in Group 2, the changes of VAS-movement, VAS-rest, TP numbers, PPTs, cervical ROMs, NDI, NHP scores were significantly higher than Group 1 (p≤0.05 for all).

In patients with neck pain due to cervical MPS, MRT provides positive effects on pain, TP numbers, PPT measurements, cervical ROM, neck disability, and quality of life. The MRT appears to be an effective treatment for cervical MPS as it is non-invasive, easy to apply, inexpensive, and has a low side effect profile.