Objective: To critically analyze published literature to determine the effectiveness of myofascial release therapy as a treatment for orthopaedic conditions.Data Sources: We searched the following electronic databases: MEDLINE, CINAHL, Academic Search Premier, Cochrane Library, and Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro), with key words myofascial release, myofascial release therapy, myofascial release treatment, musculoskeletal, and orthopedic. No date limitations were applied to the searches.Study Selection: Articles were selected based upon the use of the term myofascial release in the abstract or key words. Final selection was made by applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria to the full text. Studies were included if they were English-language, peer-reviewed studies on myofascial release for an orthopaedic condition in adult patients. Ten studies were eligible.Data Extraction: Data collected were number of participants, condition being treated, treatment used, control group, outcome measures and results. Studies were analyzed using the PEDro scale and the Center for Evidence-Based Medicine's Levels of Evidence Scale.Data Synthesis: Study scores on the PEDro scale ranged from 6 of 10 to 8 of 10. Based on the Levels of Evidence Scale, the case studies (n ¼ 6) were of lower quality, with a rank of 4. Three of the 4 remaining studies were rated at 2b, and the final study was rated at 1b.Conclusions: The quality of studies was mixed, ranging from higher-quality experimental to lower-quality case studies. Overall, the studies had positive outcomes with myofascial release, but because of the low quality, few conclusions could be drawn. The studies in this review may serve as a good foundation for future randomized controlled trials.Key Words: manual therapy, musculoskeletal conditions, randomized controlled trials Key PointsThe quality and results of studies on myofascial release as a treatment for orthopaedic conditions were mixed. Experimental studies tended to be of higher quality than case studies. Randomized controlled trials are needed to determine if myofascial release is an effective treatment for orthopaedic conditions.

Mathematics educators incorporate affective constructs into their research as they seek to understand phenomena related to teaching and learning. Some prominent findings in mathematics education research suggest that beliefs provide explanations for some perplexing behaviors. For instance, if students stop working on a challenging task after a short period of time, one explanation may be that they believe that if you understand mathematics, you can solve problems in 5 minutes or less (Schoenfeld, 1988).