The Impact of Myofascial Therapy on Connective Tissue

NCT06950541 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: JozefPilsudski_U
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 295
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The study involved patients who suffered from myofascial pain caused occupational or sports overloads or muscle strains caused by sports or improper preparation for physical activity. The patients had not been previously treated for this reason. The only form of therapy was self-administered over-the-counter painkillers and ointments. Due to lack of relief, patients received one of two types of treatments, myofascial therapy or deep tissue massage. Each group was divided into three subgroups, depending on the location of the symptoms: arm, forearm, calf. The patients received three treatments on alternate days. Ultrasound imaging examination was performed by a physiotherapist, qualified to assess soft tissues using an USG. Two measurements were taken, before and seven days after therapy. To standardise the assessment, ultrasound imaging protocol was used. The thickness of the fascia was measured by ImageJ software. The aim of the study was an ultrasound imaging assessment of connective tissue of patients undergone myofascial therapy.

Conditions

Painful; Fascial Manipulation; Fascia; Pain; Myofascial Pain; Myofascial; Myofascial Dysfunction

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• The thickness of the deep and superficial fascia.

  To assessed the thickness of the deep and superficial fascia, ultrasound imaging examination (USG) was performed by qualified physiotherapist. Two measurements were taken, before and seven days after therapy. Philips Affiniti 70G ultrasound device with linear probe (2-15 MHz) was used. To standardize the assessment, ultrasound imaging protocol described by Pirri et al. 2022 was used. To obtain more accurate results, the ultrasound image of the examined tissue was placed in the ImageJ ver. 1.54 software to assess the fascia thickness in millimetres.

  From enrollment to the 7 days after last therapy.

Secondary Outcomes (1)

• Pain level

  From enrollment to the 7 days after last therapy.

Other Outcomes (1)

• Body weight

  Once - upon enrollment

Study Arms (2)

Myofascial therapy

EXPERIMENTAL

Procedure: Myofascial therapy

Deep Tissue Massage

EXPERIMENTAL

Procedure: Deep Tissue Massage

Interventions

Myofascial therapy PROCEDURE

The myofascial therapy in the form of Fascial Distortion Model (FDM) method is based on the idea that issues within the musculoskeletal system stem from deformations or distortions in the fascia. Once the type of deformation is identified, a specific technique is employed by the physiotherapist using their hands and pressure. FDM identifies six types of fascial distortions that can cause pain and other musculoskeletal issues. These distortions include triggerbands, continuum distortions, cylinder distortions, herniated triggerpoints, tectonic fixations, and folding distortions.

Myofascial therapy

Deep Tissue Massage PROCEDURE

A deep tissue massage is a therapeutic technique that focuses on realigning deeper layers of muscles and connective tissue. It is particularly beneficial for individuals dealing with chronic pain, muscle tension, or injury recovery. The physiotherapist uses more intense pressure compared to other massage types, like Swedish massage. The goal is to reach deeper muscle layers to relieve tension and pain. The therapist employs various techniques, including long, slow strokes, deep finger pressure, and friction, also use elbows, knuckles, or forearms to apply pressure to specific areas.

Deep Tissue Massage

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 60 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• undergone myofascial therapy
• undergone deep tissue massage
• patients with pain of musculoskeletal origin
• without contraindications to myofascial therapy
• without neurological diseases
• voluntary consent to participate in the study

You may not qualify if:

• resignation from the study
• lack of patient consent
• cancers
• disturbed continuity of skin tissue at the examination site
• previous surgical procedures at the study site
• large vascular changes
• inflammatory changes in the examined areas of the body
• sensory disturbances in the examined body areas
• resignation from therapy
• changing the type of therapy

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Józef Piłsudski University of Physical Education: lead

Study Sites (1)

Józef Piłsudski University of Physical Education in Warsaw

Warsaw, 00-968, Poland

Location

Related Publications (37)

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  PMID: 38476005 BACKGROUND

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  BACKGROUND

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  BACKGROUND

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  BACKGROUND

• Tamartash H, Bahrpeyma F, Dizaji MM. The Effect of Remote Myofascial Release on Chronic Nonspecific Low Back Pain With Hamstrings Tightness. J Sport Rehabil. 2023 Mar 16;32(5):549-556. doi: 10.1123/jsr.2022-0141. Print 2023 Jul 1.

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  BACKGROUND

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Related Links

• Anatomy, Fascia Layers; 2023

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Pain

Interventions

Myofascial Release Therapy

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Neurologic Manifestations; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Massage; Therapy, Soft Tissue; Musculoskeletal Manipulations; Complementary Therapies; Therapeutics; Physical Therapy Modalities; Rehabilitation

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: TRIPLE
• Who Masked: CARE PROVIDER, INVESTIGATOR, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: BASIC SCIENCE
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Principal Investigator

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: April 18, 2025
• First Posted: April 30, 2025
• Study Start: July 3, 2023
• Primary Completion: June 1, 2024
• Study Completion: July 31, 2024
• Last Updated: April 30, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-04

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

PL (1)