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The Effects of Myofascial Release Technique

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Rotator Cuff Injuries
Interventions
Other: classic physiotherapy program
Other: Myofascial release
Registration Number
NCT06070493
Lead Sponsor
Gazi University
Brief Summary

This study was planned to investigate the long-term effects of myofascial release technique on proprioception, pain severity, shoulder range of motion, functional level, flexibility, and muscle strength in patients with rotator cuff injury. The study included 29 individuals with partial rotator cuff injury who were randomly divided into two groups. The control group received a classical physiotherapy program including transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, hot pack and exercise, while the treatment group received the same classic physiotherapy program along with the myofascial release technique. All treatments were planned for 4 weeks and a total of 10 sessions. Proprioception, pain severity, shoulder range of motion, functional level, flexibility and muscle strength were assessed before and after the treatment.

Detailed Description

Rotator cuff injury is the most common cause of shoulder pain and dysfunction in adults. It may cause muscle weakness, changes in glenohumeral kinematics, and instability in the shoulder internal and external rotator muscle groups and abductors. Patients may present a variety of symptoms, ranging from painless to severe shoulder pain and from normal function to severe dysfunction. It causes a decrease in the level of function in individuals, limitation in daily living activities, decreased quality of life and sleep problems. Various psychological factors, such as emotional or mental collapse and fear-avoidance behaviors, have been found to be associated with severe pain and disability in these patients. In response to emotional or physical injuries and traumas, fascia shortens, thickens, and stiffens. This situation causes pain and dysfunction. Conservative treatment is primarily preferred in the treatment of rotator cuff injury. In cases where there is no response to conservative treatment, surgery is used. Conservative treatment includes patient education, electrophysical agents, and exercise program. The exercise program includes scapular stabilization exercises, rotator cuff and shoulder area muscle strengthening exercises, range of motion exercises and stretching exercises. Additionally, the use of manual therapy techniques increases the effect of the treatment. Myofascial release technique, one of the manual therapy techniques, is a widely used therapy that involves low load and long-term mechanical forces to manipulate the myofascial complex, aiming to restore optimal length, reduce pain and improve function. With the myofascial release technique, proprioception is also increased. Considering the possible changes in the fascia, it is thought that the myofascial release technique may be useful in the conservative treatment program of individuals with rotator cuff injury. When the literature is examined, there is no study examining the effect of myofascial release technique on individuals with rotator cuff injury. The aim of this study is to investigate the long-term effects of myofascial release technique on proprioception, pain severity, shoulder range of motion, functional level, flexibility, and muscle strength in patients with rotator cuff injury.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
44
Inclusion Criteria
  • The diagnosis of partial rotator cuff rupture
  • Being between 18-65 years of age
Exclusion Criteria
  • Shoulder joint surgery
  • Local steroid injection to the shoulder within the last 3 months
  • Physiotherapy and rehabilitation within the last 3 months
  • Cervical discopathy
  • Severe shoulder osteoarthritis
  • Upper extremity fracture or tumor
  • Frozen shoulder
  • Shoulder instability
  • Thoracic outlet syndrome
  • Neurological and mental problems

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Control groupclassic physiotherapy programclassical physiotherapy
Treatment groupMyofascial releaseclassical physiotherapy and myofascial release
Treatment groupclassic physiotherapy programclassical physiotherapy and myofascial release
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Pain severityAfter four weeks of treatment

Pain is an unpleasant sensation and emotional experience. The severity of pain at rest and during activity was evaluated using visual analog scale. The starting point of the line indicated "no pain" and the end point "unbearable pain" using a 10 cm horizontal line.

ProprioceptionAfter four weeks of treatment

Proprioception is the joint position sense. Shoulder flexion, abduction and external rotation proprioception were measured with a digital inclinometer. Deviations between the targeted angle and the angle performed by the patients were noted.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Range of motionAfter four weeks of treatment

Range of motion is the measurement of movement. Active shoulder flexion, abduction, and internal and external rotation range of motion measurements were performed bilaterally with a universal goniometer in the supine position.

FlexibilityAfter four weeks of treatment

The ability to move muscles and joints through a full normal range of motion. Flexibility of the internal and external rotator muscles of the shoulder was measured with the patient in the sitting position. The measurement was made by recording the distance between the middle fingers of both hands with a tape measure.

Functional levelAfter four weeks of treatment

Functional level was assessed by Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI). SPADI consists of a total of 13 items, 5 of which determine the level of pain and 8 items that determine the level of disability.

Muscle strengthAfter four weeks of treatment

Shoulder flexor, abductor, and internal and external rotator muscle strength were measured bilaterally using a digital hand dynamometer. Measurements were made with the patient in the sitting position. For all measurements, patients were asked to respond to the resistance for 3 seconds. All of the procedures were repeated 3 times and 1 minute rest was given between sets.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Gazi University

🇹🇷

Ankara, Çankaya, Turkey

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