Effects of Isolated Myofascial Release Therapy in Patients with Chronic Low Back Pain—A Systematic Review

Abstract

Dysfunctions of the lumbosacral area and related pain syndromes, such as chronic low back pain (CLBP), are among the most common musculoskeletal problems in modern society. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of isolated myofascial release techniques (MFR) in the treatment of CLBP in adults. PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Cochrane Library databases were searched for studies published from 1 January 2013 to 1 March 2023. We included English-language randomized controlled trials evaluating the effect of isolated MFR performed by a specialist on adults with CLBP. Only studies with a comparison group without treatment or with sham MFR were included. A total of 373 studies were detected, of which 6 studies were finally included in this review. There was a total of 397 CLBP patients aged 18–60 in all study groups. The studies evaluated the effects of a series of MFR treatments as well as a single intervention. After applying a series of treatments, a statistically significant reduction in pain intensity, improvement in the range of motion, reduction in the level of functional disability and fear-avoidance beliefs, as well as a decrease in the activity of paraspinal muscles at maximum trunk flexion were demonstrated. A single, 40-min complex intervention involving tissues at various depths significantly reduced the level of pain, improved the range of motion, and reduced the resting activity of paraspinal muscles in the standing position, but did not affect postural stability. The use of a single 5 min MFR technique did not affect pain intensity and sensitivity and functional disability. The findings suggest that the use of a series of isolated MFR improves the condition of patients with CLBP by reducing the intensity of pain, improving functional efficiency, and reducing the activity of the paraspinal muscles in the position of maximum forward bend. The use of a single intervention containing a set of techniques covering superficial and deep tissue also reduces the intensity of pain, improves mobility, and reduces the resting activity of the paraspinal muscles in a standing position. Given the small number of eligible studies with limitations, conclusions should be interpreted with caution and avoid overgeneralizing the benefits of isolated MFR based on limited or mixed evidence.