Influencing the range of motion using trigger point therapy – systematic review
Authors:
Vymyslický P.; Pavlů D.; Pánek D.; Novotová K.
Authors‘ workplace:
Katedra fyzioterapie, Fakulta tělesné výchovy a sportu, Univerzita Karlova, Praha
Published in:
Rehabil. fyz. Lék., 28, 2021, No. 4, pp. 165-171.
Category:
Original Papers
doi:
https://doi.org/10.48095/ccrhfl2021165
Overview
The aim of this systematic search was to determine which therapeutic intervention used to affect the trigger points is most effective in increasing the range of motion in the joint (ROM). The immediate (immediately after therapy) and long-term (determined using the calculated median measurement) effect of therapy on increasing the ROM were evaluated. The articles were identified using electronic databases Web of Science, PEDro, MEDLINE and PubMed. Studies from 2016–2021 were included, which looked at various therapeutic approaches to increase the ROM in a healthy adult population of any age with a diagnosed trigger point in any muscle in the body. The evaluation criterion for determining the effectiveness of the therapy was an increase in the ROM. A total of 15 studies met the established criteria, which were subsequently analysed. From a very diverse set of techniques, the highest immediate effect was recorded for standard physiotherapy or its combination with other techniques (it accounted for 38% of a total of 13 improved research groups). The most significant long-term effect was also recorded by standard physiotherapy or its combination with other techniques, but with a lower percentage totally – 31% of the 26 improved groups.
Keywords:
trigger point – myofascial trigger point – range of motion
Sources
- Dayanir IO, Birinci T, Kaya Mutlu E et al. Comparison of three manual therapy techniques as trigger point therapy for chronic nonspecific low back pain: a randomized controlled pilot trial. J Altern Complement Med 2020; 26(4): 291–299. doi: 10.1089/acm.2019.0435.
- Waseem I, Tanveer F, Fatima A. Can addition of low level laser therapy to conventional physical therapy be beneficial for management of pain and cervical range of motion in patients with trigger point of upper trapezius? Anaesthesia, Pain Intensive Care 2020; 24(1): 64–68. doi: 10.35975/apic.v24i1.1228.
- Ahmed H, Jarrar MA, Ahmed R et al. Effect of post-isometric relaxation and laser on upper trapezius trigger point pain in patients with mechanical neck pain. Niger J Clin Pract 2020; 23(12): 1660–1666. doi: 10.4103/njcp.njcp_6_20.
- Donnelly JM, Simons DG. Travell, Simons & Simons‘ myofascial pain and dysfunction: the trigger point manual. 3rd ed. Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer Health 2019. ISBN 978-0781755603.
- Davies C, Davies A. Trigger point therapy workbook. 3rd ed. Oakland, CA: New Harbinger Publications 2013. ISBN 978-1-60882-495-3.
- Dissanayaka TD, Pallegama RW, Suraweera HJ et al. Comparison of the effectiveness of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation and interferential therapy on the upper trapezius in myofascial pain syndrome: a randomized controlled study. Am J Phys Med Rehabil 2016; 95(9):663–672. doi: 10.1097/PHM.0000000000000461.
- Mense S, Gerwin R. Muscle pain: diagnosis and treatment. New York: Springer 2010. ISBN 9783642054686.
- Ganesh G, Singh SH, Mushtaq S et al. Effect of cervical mobilization and ischemic compression therapy on contralateral cervical side flexion and pressure pain threshold in latent upper trapezius trigger points. J Bodyw Mov Ther 2016; 20(3): 477–483. doi: 10.1016/j.jbmt.2015.11.010.
- Nasb M, Qun X, Ruckmal Withanage C et al. Dry cupping, ischemic compression, or their combination for the treatment of trigger points: a pilot randomized trial. J Altern Complement Med 2020; 26(1): 44–50. doi: 10.1089/acm.2019.0231.
- Vymyslický P, Pavlů D, Pánek D. Efektivita terapeutických intervencí v otázce léčby bolesti spojené se spoušťovými body. Rehabil Fyz Lék 2021; 28(2): 79–88. doi: 10.48095/ccrhfl202179.
- National Health and Medical Research Council. 2009. NHMRC levels of evidence and grades for recommendations for developers of guidelines [online]. Available from: www.nhmrc.gov.au/sites/default/files/images/NHMRC%20Levels%20and%20Grades%20(2009).pdf.
- Alkhadhrawi N, Alshami A. Effects of myofascial trigger point dry cupping on pain and function in patients with plantar heel pain: a randomized controlled trial. J Bodyw Mov Ther 2019; 23(3): 532–538. doi: 10.1016/j.jbmt.2019.05.016.
- Azatcam G, Atalay NS, Akkaya N et al. Comparison of effectiveness of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation and Kinesio Taping added to exercises in patients with myofascial pain syndrome. J Back Musculoskelet Rehabil 2017; 30(2): 291–298. doi: 10.3233/BMR-150503.
- Alguacil Diego IM, Fernández-Carnero J, Laguarta-Val S et al. Analgesic effects of a capacitive-resistive monopolar radiofrequency in patients with myofascial chronic neck pain: a pilot randomized controlled trial. Rev Assoc Med Bras 2019; 65(2): 156–164. doi: 10.1590/1806-9282.65.2.156.
- Gallego-Sendarrubias GM, Rodríguez-Sanz D, Calvo-Lobo C et al. Efficacy of dry needling as an adjunct to manual therapy for patients with chronic mechanical neck pain: a randomised clinical trial. Acupunct Med 2020; 38(4): 244–254. doi: 10.1136/acupmed-2018-011682.
- Pecos-Martin D, Ponce-Castro MJ, Jiménez-Rejano JJ et al. Immediate effects of variable durations of pressure release technique on latent myofascial trigger points of the levator scapulae: a double-blinded randomised clinical trial. Acupunct Med 2019; 37(3): 141–150. doi: 10.1136/acupmed-2018-011738.
- Sadria G, Hosseini M, Rezasoltani A et al. A comparison of the effect of the active release and muscle energy techniques on the latent trigger points of the upper trapezius. J Bodyw Mov Ther 2017; 21(4): 920–925. doi: 10.1016/j.jbmt.2016.10.005.
- Dibai-Filho AV, de Oliveira AK, Girasol CE et al. Additional effect of static ultrasound and diadynamic currents on myofascial trigger points in a manual therapy program for patients with chronic neck pain: a randomized clinical trial. Am J Phys Med Rehabil 2017; 96(4): 243–252. doi: 10.1097/PHM.0000000000000595.
- Takla MKN. Low-frequency high-intensity versus medium-frequency low-intensity combined therapy in the management of active myofascial trigger points: a randomized controlled trial. Physiother Res Int 2018; 23(4): e1737. doi: 10.1002/pri.1737.
- Alayat MS, Battecha KH, Elsodany AM et al. Pulsed ND: YAG laser combined with progressive pressure release in the treatment of cervical myofascial pain syndrome: a randomized control trial. J Phys Ther Sci 2020; 32(7): 422–427. doi: 10.1589/jpts.32.422.
- Webb TR, Rajendran D. Myofascial techniques: what are their effects on joint range of motion and pain? – A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. J Bodyw Mov Ther 2016; 20(3): 682–699. doi: 10.1016/j.jbmt.2016.02.013.
- Takamoto K, Bito I, Urakawa S et al. Effects of compression at myofascial trigger points in patients with acute low back pain: a randomized controlled trial. Eur J Pain 2015; 19(8):1186–1196. doi: 10.1002/ejp.694.
- Sarrafzadeh J, Ahmadi A, Yassin M. The effects of pressure release, phonophoresis of hydrocortisone, and ultrasound on upper trapezius latent myofascial trigger point. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2012; 93(1): 72–77. doi: 10.1016/j.apmr.2011.08.001.
- Oliveira-Campelo N, de Melo CA, Alburquerque-Sendín F et al. Short- and medium-term effects of manual therapy on cervical active range of motion and pressure pain sensitivity in latent myofascial pain of the upper trapezius muscle: a randomized controlled trial. J Manipulative Physiol Ther 2013; 36(5):300–309. doi: 10.1016/j.jmpt.2013.04.008.
Labels
Physiotherapist, university degree Rehabilitation Sports medicineArticle was published in
Rehabilitation and Physical Medicine
2021 Issue 4
Most read in this issue
- Gait rehabilitation in Parkinson’s disease patients – Cueing therapy
- Effect of dynamic neuromuscular stabilization in patients after arthroscopy of the shoulder joint
- Influencing the range of motion using trigger point therapy – systematic review
- Update of the Czech translation of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health