Effects of different physiotherapy applications on pain and mobility of connective tissue in patients with myofascial pain syndrome

Abstract

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of electrotherapy and exercise on pain intensity and mobility of connective tissue in patients with myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) in their cervical region.

Methods: 60 patients were divided into 3 groups using a random allocation programme method. A hotpack was applied, and ultrasound was carried out on the patients in the treatment group who were also given exercise training. Exercise training was only given to the exercise group while the control group was given two weeks rest. The demographic characteristics, autonomic symptoms, and other MPS-associated symptoms of patients were recorded. The Short-Form McGill Pain Questionnaire was used to evaluate the intensity and quality of pain, and a skin-roll test was used to evaluate connective tissue mobility.

Results: There was a statistically significant difference between treatment and control group on the sensory pain, total pain, and Visual Analog Scale measurements (p< 0.05). There was a decrease in connective tissue sensitivity measurements in the treatment and control groups. The connective tissue tension measurements were also decreased after treatment in the treatment and exercise groups.

Conclusion: We concluded that combined treatment was more effective to decrease pain intensity, and increase connective tissue mobility.