Effects of positional release technique on myofascial trigger points of the upper trapezius in computer users having forward head posture

Abstract

Background: Forward head posture is associated with the upper trapezius myofascial trigger points and cause pain, restricted range of motion, and referred pain in the arm. The positional release technique is likely to focus on evaluating the efficacy of this manual therapy approach. Objective: To determine the effects of positional release technique for myofascial trigger points of the upper trapezius with forward head posture Method: A randomized control trial study was conducted in the Physiotherapy Department of THQ Hospital Wazirabad, Pakistan, from February 2021 to June 2021 with a sample size of n=32 male participants. Participants were recruited with pain intensity of at least 3 points on the Visual Analogue Scale at baseline, at least one active TrP in the upper trapezius that was diagnosed using the method described by Travel and Simon, and computer users who spend at least 6 hours per day in a sitting posture and are between the ages of 18 and 45. All subjects were randomly and equally allocated into the Positional Release Therapy (PRT) group and a conventional Physical Therapy group. A total 12 treatment sessions were given with 3 days a week for consecutive 4 weeks. The data was collected at the baseline and after the 12th session. The outcome measures for trigger point sensitivity were pain pressure threshold (PPT), visual analogue scale (VAS), active contra lateral flexion (ACLF), cranio-vertebral angle (CVA), and neck disability index (NDI). Data analysis was done through SPSS version-27. Results: The mean age of 34.3±6.57 years. The positional release therapy post-intervention results showed more significant improvement (p≤0.05) in all outcomes PPT, VAS, ACLF, CVA, and NDI between the groups with large effect size. Conclusion: Positional release therapy (PRT) is superior to conventional therapy in decreasing pain intensity and threshold with disability in patients of upper trapezius trigger points Keywords: cranio-vertebral angle; forward head posture; neck disability index; pain pressure threshold; positional release therapy; trigger points; upper trapezius; visual analogue scale.