Abstract

Aim. The aim of this study was to examine the superiority of effectiveness of muscle energy technique (MET) combined with physical therapy (PT), strain counterstrain (SCS) combined with PT, and PT alone in terms of pain intensity, pain pressure threshold (PPT), cervical range of motion (CROM), and neck disability for patients with upper trapezius myofascial pain syndrome (MPS). Materials and methods. Fifty-four patients with upper trapezius MPS were randomly allocated into three equal groups. Group A received MET combined with the PT program, which included therapeutic ultrasound and isometric neck strengthening exercises. Group B received SCS combined with the same PT program, and Group C received the same PT program alone, for three sessions per week for four consecutive weeks. In addition, postural corrections and ergonomic advice were given to all three groups. The outcome measures were assessed pre- and post-treatment and included pain intensity, PPT, CROM, and neck disability, which were evaluated using the visual analogue scale, pressure threshold meter, CROM device, and neck disability index (Arabic version), respectively. Results. A 3×2 mixed model multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) test demonstrated significant improvement (p < 0.01) and significant between-group differences for post-treatment mean values (p < 0.05) in all the outcome measures in the three groups. Additionally, significant differences were found for post-treatment mean values in the pairwise comparison in favor of Group A and Group B as compared to Group C (p < 0.05) in all the outcome measures. Conclusion. Both techniques combined with PT are more effective than PT alone for patients with upper trapezius MPS.

Key words:

muscle energy technique, myofascial pain syndrome, physical therapy, strain counterstrain