Myofascial Release as a Treatment for Orthopaedic Conditions: A Systematic Review

Abstract

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.

Manual Therapy in the Treatment of Idiopathic Scoliosis. Analysis of Current Knowledge

“…These were evaluated with respect to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, resulting in 6 papers being qualified for further analysis [10,[12][13][14]19,20]. Gotlib and Rupert (2005) searched for papers published before 2003 and available in the PubMed, CINAHL, MANTIS, ICL, Cochrane Library, CCOHTA and ANRQ databases [19].…”

“…Po poddaniu ich ocenie pod ką -tem spełniania kryteriów włączenia i wyłączenia do dalszej analizy przyjęto 6 z nich [10,[12][13][14]19,20].…”

“…(2013), a jego celem była krytyczna analiza piśmiennictwa przeprowadzona w celu oceny skuteczności terapii mięśniowo-powię-ziowej stosowanej w przebiegu schorzeń narządu ruchu [12].…”

“…Można tu wymienić elektrostymulację, masaż, różne formy terapii manualnej, chiropraktykę, osteopatię, wkładki korygujące asymetrię długo-ści kończyn dolnych czy korekcję wad zgryzu [10][11][12][13][14][15]. Szczególnie terapia manualna, chiropraktyka oraz osteopatia cieszą się w ostatnim czasie coraz większą popularnością, co może wynikać z jednej strony z rosnącej liczby fizjoterapeutów szkolących się w tych metodach, jak również z ograniczonego za u fania do skuteczności tradycyjnego leczenia [10,16,17].…”

“…These include electrical stimulation, massage, various forms of manual therapy, chiropractic, osteopathy, inserts for correcting discrepancy in lower limb length or correction of occlusal abnormalities [10][11][12][13][14][15]. Manual therapy, chiropractic and oste opathy in particular are attracting more and more interest, which may result from an increasing number of physiotherapists learning these methods as well as from a limited trust in the efficacy of conventional treatment [10,16,17].…”