Effectiveness of radial shock-wave therapy combined with self-stretching
exercises in patients with myofascial pain syndrome
Abstract
Aims: The aim of the study is to investigate the short term effects of
radial shock-wave therapy combined with self-stretching exercises in
patients with myofascial pain syndrome (MPS). Methods: 30 patients with
chronic cervical myofascial pain (4 males, 26 females) aged between 25
to 57 years (with average age 41,20±10,23 years) were included the
study. Participants were divided into two groups as intervention group
(n=15) and control group (n=15). Patients in intervention group received
radial shock-wave application one times a week for six weeks and home
based stretching exercises. Patients in control group (CG) received home
based stretching exercises. Rest and activity pain (Visual Analog
Scale), pressure pain threshold (PPT), cervical range of motion (CROM)
and disability (Neck Disability Index) were assessed at baseline and
after the treatment. Results: Rest and activity pain, pain pressure
threshold, cervical range of motion and disability scores improved after
the treatment in the intervention group (p<0,05). On the other
hand, it was not found significant changes any parameter after the
treatment in the control group (p>0,05) except activity
pain (p<0,05). Conclusion: The results of the study showed
that radial shock-wave therapy combined with stretching exercises was
more effective at reducing pain, increasing cervical range of motion and
improving disability level than stretching exercises in patients with
chronic cervical myofascial pain. The clinical trial number of the study
is NCT04814017. Several previous studies showed that ESWT has effects on
musculosceletal diseases but the pathophysiology is not clear. There are
several studies showing the effectiveness of focused ESWT for patients
diagnosed MPS. , there are two studies which investigated the effect of
radial shock-wave therapyin MPS but there is not significant
differences.The combined treatment including radial shock-wave therapy
and self-stretching exercise would be useful for physical therapists
treating in a clinical settings.