The effects of myofascial release technique in patients with partial rotator cuff tear : A single-blind randomized controlled trial.

Abstract

Background: The myofascial release technique is applied to improve symptoms by releasing fascial tissues. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of the myofascial release technique on proprioception, range of motion, pain, shoulder function, and flexibility in patients with rotator cuff tear.

Material and methods: In this study 29 patients with partial rotator cuff tear were randomly divided into 2 groups. The control group received conventional physiotherapy including hot pack, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation and exercise program, while the treatment group received the same conventional physiotherapy along with the myofascial release technique. All procedures were performed for 4 weeks. Proprioception, pain severity, range of motion, shoulder functional level, and flexibility were assessed before and after the treatment.

Results: Improvement in proprioception was significant in all directions in the treatment group and only in flexion in the control group (p < 0.05). Flexibility significantly increased only in the treatment group (p < 0.05); however, no significant between-group differences were found in proprioception and flexibility (p > 0.05). Both groups showed significant improvement in pain severity, range of motion, and functional level (p < 0.05); however, compared to control group, the treatment group demonstrated significantly greater improvements in pain severity during activity, internal rotation, and functional level (pain and total scores) (p < 0.05), whereas no significant between-group difference was found for the functional level (disability score) (p > 0.05).

Conclusion: The addition of the myofascial release technique to conventional physiotherapy could contribute to improvements in pain severity during activity, internal rotation, and functional level (pain and total scores) in patients with partial rotator cuff tear, and its inclusion in physiotherapy programs could optimize treatment outcomes.