Myofascial Pain Syndrome Focused on the Upper Trapezius Muscle: A Comparative Randomized Controlled Trial of the Court-Type Traditional Thai Massage versus the Thai Hermit.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to compare the efficacy of court-type traditional Thai massage (CTTM) and Thai hermit exercise (THE) in improving cervical range of motion (CROM) and reducing pain in the upper trapezius muscle for patients with myofascial pain syndrome.
Results Summary
Both CTTM and THE significantly reduced pain and improved CROM, with CTTM showing a greater reduction in pain levels compared to THE. No significant difference was found in CROM improvement between the two treatments.
Population
46 patients with myofascial pain syndrome in the upper trapezius muscle.
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
Not specified
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
court-type traditional Thai massage (CTTM) | decrease | pain | patient subjects with myofascial pain syndrome in the upper trapezius muscle | - | significantly lower | #1 |
court-type traditional Thai massage (CTTM) | increase | cervical range of motion (CROM) | patient subjects with myofascial pain syndrome in the upper trapezius muscle | - | significantly better | #2 |
Thai hermit exercise (THE) | decrease | pain | patient subjects with myofascial pain syndrome in the upper trapezius muscle | - | significantly lower | #3 |
Thai hermit exercise (THE) | increase | cervical range of motion (CROM) | patient subjects with myofascial pain syndrome in the upper trapezius muscle | - | significantly better | #4 |
court-type traditional Thai massage (CTTM) | no change | range of motion | - | - | not found to differ | #5 |
Thai hermit exercise (THE) | no change | range of motion | - | - | not found to differ | #6 |
court-type traditional Thai massage (CTTM) | decrease | pain level measured by VAS | - | - | provides a better way of reducing pain | #7 |
Thai hermit exercise (THE) | decrease | pain level measured by VAS | - | - | provides a better way of reducing pain | #8 |
Myofascial pain syndrome is a common problem that can develop at any age. This study compares the efficacy of the court-type traditional Thai massage (CTTM) to the Thai hermit exercise (THE) in improving the cervical range of motion (CROM) and reducing pain in the upper trapezius muscle. In this study, 46 patient subjects were randomized into 2 groups, with 1 group administered CTTM and the other administered THE. Prior to and following the experiment, their demographic characteristics, pain levels and CROM were measured using a visual analog scale (VAS) and a goniometer, respectively. Data was then analyzed using descriptive statistics, percentage, mean, and standard deviation, as well as inferential statistics. The findings indicate that subjects in both groups demonstrated significantly lower pain and significantly better CROM (P < 0.05). In terms of comparative treatment between the CTTM and THE groups, the results were not found to differ in the range of motion, but a clear difference in pain level measured by VAS was found, in which CTTM provides a better way of reducing pain at the trigger point than THE (P < 0.05). From the findings, it can be concluded that both CTTM and THE are comparably efficacious therapies for myofascial pain in the upper trapezius muscle.