Myofascial Pain Syndromes
Conditions
Keywords
Myofascial Pain Syndromes; Musculoskeletal Manipulations; Disability Evaluation; Range of Motion
Brief summary
Unilateral trapezitis is characterized by upper trapezius myofascial pain and trigger points and commonly causes neck pain, restricted cervical range of motion (ROM), and functional disability. While myofascial release (MFR) and positional release technique (PRT) are widely used, their comparative effectiveness remains unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to compare the effectiveness of MFR versus PRT combined with conventional exercises on pain, cervical lateral flexion ROM, and neck disability in young adults with unilateral trapezitis. Thirty participants (aged 20-25 years) with unilateral trapezitis were randomly assigned to two groups (n=15 each). Group A received MFR plus conventional treatment (active neck movements, trapezius stretching), while Group B received PRT plus the same conventional treatment. Interventions were delivered 3 days/week for 20 minutes/session over 2 months. Outcomes included Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), goniometric cervical lateral flexion ROM (affected/unaffected sides), and Neck Disability Index (NDI), measured pre- and post-intervention. Both MFR and PRT effectively improved pain, ROM, and disability in unilateral trapezitis. PRT demonstrated greater short-term benefits for pain reduction and functional improvement, suggesting it as the preferred initial intervention when rapid symptomatic relief is prioritized.
Interventions
OTHERMyofascial Release Technique
Myofascial release technique is a specialized manual therapy technique used to alleviate chronic pain and restore motion by releasing tension in the fascia.
The Positional Release Technique is a gentle manual therapy that resolves pain and tissue dysfunction by moving the body into a "position of ease" or comfort.
Sponsors
King Saud University
Co-Operative Institute of Health Sciences
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
TRIPLE (Subject, Caregiver, Outcomes Assessor)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
20 Years to 25 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* Subjects diagnosed with trapezitis with trigger point by an orthopedic surgeon, * with unilateral upper trapezius tender point, * taut band palpable in upper trapezius muscle, * excruciating spot tenderness at one point along the length of the taut band of upper trapezius muscle, * restriction in cervical lateral flexion when measured, and * pain elevated by elongating (stretching) the trapezius muscle
Exclusion criteria
* Participants with history of cervical spine trauma or fracture, * recent surgery on the cervical spine, * skin condition around area to be treated, * current use of anti-inflammatory medications, * brachial nerve pain, * deformities of the neck, * sensory/perception anomalies close to the treatment area, * radiculopathy or myopathy symptoms, * degenerative cervical spine condition, * with a history of cardiac illness or presence of a pacemaker, * epilepsy, * psychological disorder, and * pregnant women
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Neck Pain | 8 weeks. | Pain on the affected side was measured using the Numerical Pain Rating Scale. The Numerical Pain Rating Scale-11 is a widely used 11-point scale for self-reporting pain. The respondent chooses a whole number (0-10) that best reflects the intensity of their pain. The greater the number, the worse is the outcome. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Range of motion | 8 weeks. | Neck lateral flexion range of motion is the measurement of how far subjects can tilt their head toward the shoulder while looking straight ahead. The greater the range of motion, the better is the outcome. |
| Functional status | 8 weeks. | Functional status was measured using the Neck Disability Index (NDI). It includes 10 items related to pain and functional limitations. A higher score indicates worse outcome. |
Countries
India
Outcome results
None listed