Article

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of myofascial release techniques on pain
symptoms, postural stability and physical function in fibromyalgia syndrome.
DESIGN: A randomized, placebo-controlled trial was undertaken. SUBJECTS:
Eighty-six patients with fibromyalgia syndrome were randomly assigned to an
experimental group and a placebo group. INTERVENTIONS: Patients received
treatments for 20 weeks. The experimental group underwent 10 myofascial release
modalities and the placebo group received sham short-wave and ultrasound
electrotherapy. MAIN MEASURES: Outcome variables were number of tender points,
pain, postural stability, physical function, clinical severity and global
clinical assessment of improvement. Outcome measures were assessed before and
immediately after, at six months and one year after the last session of the
corresponding intervention. RESULTS: After 20 weeks of myofascial therapy, the
experimental group showed a significant improvement (P < 0.05) in painful tender
points, McGill Pain Score (20.6 +/- 6.3, P < 0.032), physical function (56.10 +/-
17.3, P < 0.029), and clinical severity (5.08 +/- 1.03, P < 0.039). At six months
post intervention, the experimental group had a significantly lower mean number
of painful points, pain score (8.25 +/- 1.13, P < 0.048), physical function
(58.60 +/- 16.30, P < 0.049) and clinical severity (5.28 +/- 0.97, P < 0.043). At
one year post intervention, the only significant improvements were in painful
points at second left rib and left gluteal muscle, affective dimension, number of
days feeling good and clinical severity. CONCLUSION:
The results suggest that
myofascial release techniques can be a complementary therapy for pain symptoms,
physical function and clinical severity but do not improve postural stability in
patients with fibromyalgia syndrome.

Langue : ANGLAIS