Multimodal programmes in the treatment of myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) – a two-step review

Krzysztof Konior, Aleksandra Bitenc-Jasiejko, Danuta Lietz-Kijak, Piotr Skomro, Małgorzata Kowacka, Konrad Kijak, Zbigniew Śliwiński


Krzysztof Konior, Aleksandra Bitenc-Jasiejko, Danuta Lietz-Kijak, Piotr Skomro, Małgorzata Kowacka, Konrad Kijak, Zbigniew Śliwiński – Multimodal programmes in the treatment of myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) – a two-step review. Fizjoterapia Polska 2023; 23(1); 188-202

DOI: https://doi.org/10.56984/8ZG07B914

Abstract
Myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) is one of the most common ailments associated with the human musculoskeletal system, characterised by the presence of the so-called trigger points (TrP – trigger point; MTrPs – myofascial trigger points). The International Association for the Study of Pain indicates that MPS may affect approximately one-third of people with chronic musculoskeletal pain, and that there is a lack of appropriate classification which can be attributed to a misunderstanding and/or misinterpretation of the pathophysiology. Given the diverse causes of pain syndromes in myofascial structures, it is vital to properly select and integrate therapeutic methods. The scientific literature indicates that treatment programmes should include a variety of manual therapy methods and rehabilitation exercises. Trigger point therapies, such as dry needling or dry cupping, are also widely used. At the heart of the success of rehabilitation programmes, in the opinion of the authors of this publication, is their multimodality, i.e. selection of therapeutic methods based on the cause of the pain, providing for measurable, reproducible diagnostic methods in therapy.
Aim of the study. The aim of this study is to analyse and infer conclusions on multimodal myofascial pain therapy programmes.
Material and methods. Given the complex research problem set as the aim, the study was carried out through a literature review in terms of two criteria:
Criterion I (C I): analysis of the literature on the etiology and pathogenesis of myofascial pain (i.e. causes and triggers, symptoms, social and environmental factors determining the onset of MPS), diagnostic procedures (initial diagnosis and ongoing monitoring of treatment outcomes), and therapeutic methods used in the course of MPS.
Criterion II (C II): a literature study of research publications addressing multimodal programmes for myofascial pain therapy, with their qualitative evaluation using the modified PEDro scale, and empirical testing of hypotheses based on the literature study and the analysis made in Part I.
Data sources: PubMed, SCOPUS, Science Direct, MEDLINE, PEDro, Cochrane, Embase, Web of Science Core Collection, Google Scholar electronic databases were searched systematically, restricting the languages to English and German only.
Results. The analysis of the literature showed that the causes, symptoms and associations of myofascial pain have been described in detail. There are also numerous reports on a variety of therapeutic methods, together with a precisely described methodology for their implementation. It is not uncommon to recommend combining methods into multimodal programmes, which unfortunately does not mean that there are many such programmes or that studies on MPS are consistent. The literature study on multimodal treatment programmes for MPS revealed that there is no correlation between its pathogenesis and a purposeful selection of specific therapeutic methods. In a small number of cases, a complex etiopathogenesis led to the formation of multidisciplinary teams. This may be associated with the absence of strict recommendations on the diagnostic methods applicable to the assessment of MPS.
Conclusions. 1. Multimodal programmes for the treatment of musculoskeletal pain, notably MPS and MTrPs, should include a detailed and comprehensive diagnosis (structural, biochemical, psycho-emotional) which should serve as the basis for the formation of interdisciplinary rehabilitation teams. 2. Musculoskeletal diagnosis, in addition to radiological assessment, should include measurable techniques of postural and functional assessment (such as pedobarography, wearable sensors, assisted anthropometry, i.e. photogrammetry, videogrammetry, etc.), aimed primarily at the ongoing assessment of posture. 3. The choice of therapeutic methods and patient education should be based on the causes of the patient’s pain, taking into account systemic diseases, postural defects, lifestyle and psycho-emotional state. 4. Scientific research in multimodal treatment programmes should be carried out in randomised groups, with due attention to the methodologies of diagnostic and therapeutic procedures and group selection.
Keywords
chronic pain, myofascial pain, manual therapy, exercise, multimodal programmes
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Comparison of effectivnes local and whole body cryotherapy in chronic pain

Elżbieta Miller

Elżbieta Miller – Comparison of effectivnes local and whole body cryotherapy in chronic pain. Fizjoterapia Polska 2006; 6(1); 27-31

Abstract

Background. The purpose of this articele was comparison effectiveness of analgesic local and whole body cryotherapy in the case of chronic pain – difficult interdisciplinary problem.
Material and methods. The research involved 16 patients with chronic pain last 2 years and connected with degeneration changes. The studied groups differd in form of cryotherapy, both had kinezytherapeuthic treatment in the same range. The results were obtained by McGill questionnaire which rely on score in intensity of pain scale (0-10) and functional pain estimate (choosen basic life functions) in scale (1-4). The patients were tested three times: once before treatment, after the end of 20 sessions and again 2 weeks after the end of first procedure. Results and Conclusions. Whole body cryotherapy is more effective in chronic pain. However the study confirmed decreased of pain both in group treated by local and whole body cryotherapy.

Key words:
chronic pain, local cryotherapy, whole body cryotherapy
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Centralisation and peripheralisation of symptoms according to McKenzie Method among patients with chronic low back pain

Aleksandra Truszczyńska

Aleksandra Truszczyńska – Centralisation and peripheralisation of symptoms according to McKenzie Method among patients with chronic low back pain. Fizjoterapia Polska 2011; 11(4); 351-356

Abstract
Background. Diagnosis of lumbar sciatica is based on classical neurological examination and radiographic imaging. In literature, McKenzie described detailed functional tests concerning pain response during mechanical procedures. Centralisation of pain confirmed during examination informs the examiner that conservative treatment is indicated. Contrary to that peripheralisation of symptoms, it confirms that derangement is irreducible. The aim of the study was to show that the method of functional exa­mination enables diagnosis of centralisation or peripheralisation of pain among chronic patients with sciatica. The additional aim was to determine the factors identified from objective evaluation which determine further treatment of these patients. Material and methods. 200 patients with low back pain and sciatica were precisely analysed. There were 84 men (42%) and 116 women (58%), age between 13-79 years (43.0±13,65). Peripheralisation of pain was found in 65 patients (group A), and centralisation – in 135 persons (67.5%). Statistical analysis showed that significant differences between groups included: lateral shift, SLR test, sensory and motor deficits.Conclusions. 1. Precise analysis showed that among chronic patients with disc disease clinical tests lead to centralisation or peripheralisation of pain. 2. Peripheralisation was statistically more often accompanied with lateral shift, neurological deficits and low results of straight leg raise (SLR) test.
Key words:
chronic pain, Low Back Pain, McKenzie method
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The impact of relaxation on chronic pain intensity and level of depression

Krystyna Boroń-Krupińska, Marek Woźniewski

Krystyna Boroń-Krupińska, Marek Woźniewski – The impact of relaxation on chronic pain intensity and level of depression. Fizjoterapia Polska 2012; 12(1); 49-57

 

Abstract
The objective of this study was to demonstrate the relationships between relaxation, pain intensity and level of depression. The study was conducted among forty five (N = 45) patients with pain, including 23 females and 22 males aged 60–80 years. The studied participants were randomized in three groups; each group consisted of fifteen subjects with equal number of males and females. The first group participated in relaxation training and standard physiotherapy, the second group participated only in standard physiotherapy and the control group was a „placebo” group who had con­versations with relaxation trainer, without training and standard physiotherapy. Pain intensity was measured twice every day using VAS scale, before and after the activities. The level of depression was verified at the baseline and after two weeks using Geriatric Depression Scale.The analysis of the differences between average values for dependent samples was performed using Wilcoxon’s signed-rank test while the analysis for independent samples was carried out using Kruskal Wallis test. The correlations between the studied parameters were calculated using Spearman’s correlation ratio. The study showed pain intensity decrease in all studied groups, to the large extent in the relaxation and physiotherapy group (49.4% and 44.2% respectively). The level of depression significantly decreased in the relaxation group (7.9%). Depression level is a significant factor related to pain intensity. Relaxation resulted in the decrease in pain intensity and depression level.
Key words:
Relaxation, chronic pain, level of depression, physiotherapy
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