Myofascial Release Therapy and Mechanical Neck Pain

Summary

Mechanical neck pain is a musculoskeletal disorder usually associated with work absenteeism. Myofascial release therapy (MRT) is currently under development and has the treatment of mechanical neck pain as one of its main focal points. However, there is a paucity of studies reporting its effectiveness. For that purpose a randomized single-blind parallel group study was designed to compare the effectiveness of MRT with manual therapy (MT) for treating occupational mechanical neck pain. The sample (n=59) was randomly assigned to two therapeutic intervention programs. Group I patients were treated with MT and Group II patients were treated with MRT. Variables studied were intensity of neck pain, cervical disability, quality of life (QoL), craniovertebral angle and ranges of cervical motion.

Conditions

• Neck Pain

Interventions

OTHER

Manual Therapy

The manual therapy techniques included: (i) anterior-posterior and side-shift of the cervical spine; (ii) muscle energy technique involving side-bending of cervical spine; (iii) neuromuscular technique for restricted C1-C2 rotation; (iv) inhibitive occipital distraction; and (v) cervical stretching: post-isometric relaxation for the upper trapezius, scalene and sternocleidomastoid muscles.

OTHER

Myofascial Release Therapy

The myofascial release therapy techniques included: (i) cranial base release, adjusting the relation of the rectus capitis posterior muscles to the dura mater; (ii) gross release of the sternocleidomastoid muscle; (iii) release of the suprahyoid and infrahyoid muscles; and (iv) release of the retrohyoid fascia.

DEVICE

Analgesic therapy

Analgesic therapy consisted of superficial thermotherapy by an infrared lamp (Infra 2000, Enraf Nonius) and TENS (TENSMED 911, Enraf Nonius). The 250-watts infrared lamp was focused at a distance of 50 cm on the cervical area for 15 minutes. TENS employed 80 Hz frequency, 150 µs pulse duration, with 50x50 mm electrodes (Gel-Trode, Enraf Nonius) placed on the painful or metamers areas for 20 minutes.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Vigo

  collaborator OTHER

• University Hospital A Coruña

  collaborator OTHER

• FREMAP Mutual Insurance Company for Occupational Accidents and Diseases

  lead INDUSTRY

Principal Investigators

• Francisco J DeToro-Santos, Ph.D. · Department of Medicine, University of A Coruña.

• Isaac M Fuentes-Boquete, Ph.D. · Department of Medicine, University of A Coruña.

• Iván Rodríguez-Fuentes, Ph.D. · FREMAP Mutual Insurance Company for Occupational Accidents and Diseases

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Max Age

65 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2010-01-31

Primary Completion

2010-12-31

Completion

2010-12-31

Countries

• Spain

Study Locations