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Mak S, Allen J, Begashaw M, Miake-Lye I, Beroes-Severin J, De Vries G, Lawson E, Shekelle PG. Use of Massage Therapy for Pain, 2018-2023: A Systematic Review. JAMA Netw Open 2024; 7:e2422259. [PMID: 39008297 PMCID: PMC11250267 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.22259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2024] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 07/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Importance Massage therapy is a popular treatment that has been advocated for dozens of painful adult health conditions and has a large evidence base. Objective To map systematic reviews, conclusions, and certainty or quality of evidence for outcomes of massage therapy for painful adult health conditions. Evidence Review In this systematic review, a computerized search was conducted of PubMed, the Allied and Complementary Medicine Database, the Cumulated Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and Web of Science from 2018 to 2023. Included studies were systematic reviews of massage therapy for pain in adult health conditions that formally rated the certainty, quality, or strength of evidence for conclusions. Studies of sports massage therapy, osteopathy, dry cupping or dry needling, and internal massage therapy (eg, for pelvic floor pain) were ineligible, as were self-administered massage therapy techniques, such as foam rolling. Reviews were categorized as those with at least 1 conclusion rated as high-certainty evidence, at least 1 conclusion rated as moderate-certainty evidence, and all conclusions rated as low- or very low-certainty evidence; a full list of conclusions and certainty of evidence was collected. Findings A total of 129 systematic reviews of massage therapy for painful adult health conditions were found; of these, 41 reviews used a formal method to rate certainty or quality of evidence of their conclusions and 17 reviews were mapped, covering 13 health conditions. Across these reviews, no conclusions were rated as high certainty of evidence. There were 7 conclusions that were rated as moderate-certainty evidence; all remaining conclusions were rated as low- or very low-certainty evidence. All conclusions rated as moderate certainty were that massage therapy had a beneficial associations with pain. Conclusions and Relevance This study found that despite a large number of randomized clinical trials, systematic reviews of massage therapy for painful adult health conditions rated a minority of conclusions as moderate-certainty evidence and that conclusions with moderate- or high-certainty evidence that massage therapy was superior to other active therapies were rare.
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Affiliation(s)
- Selene Mak
- Veterans Health Administration, Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Los Angeles, California
| | - Jennifer Allen
- Veterans Health Administration, Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Los Angeles, California
| | - Meron Begashaw
- Veterans Health Administration, Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Los Angeles, California
| | - Isomi Miake-Lye
- Veterans Health Administration, Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Los Angeles, California
- UCLA Fielding School of Public Health, University of California, Los Angeles
| | - Jessica Beroes-Severin
- Veterans Health Administration, Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Los Angeles, California
| | - Gerardo De Vries
- Veterans Health Administration, Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Los Angeles, California
| | | | - Paul G. Shekelle
- Veterans Health Administration, Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Los Angeles, California
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Mata JZ, Azkue JJ, Bialosky JE, Saez M, López ED, Arrieta MA, Lascurain-Aguirrebeña I. Restoration of normal central pain processing following manual therapy in nonspecific chronic neck pain. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0294100. [PMID: 38781273 PMCID: PMC11115211 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0294100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine if a 4-week manual therapy treatment restores normal functioning of central pain processing mechanisms in non-specific chronic neck pain (NSCNP), as well as the existence of a possible relationship between changes in pain processing mechanisms and clinical outcome. DESIGN Cohort study. METHODS Sixty-three patients with NSCNP, comprising 79% female, with a mean age of 45.8 years (standard deviation: 14.3), received four treatment sessions (once a week) of manual therapy including articular passive mobilizations, soft tissue mobilization and trigger point treatment. Pressure pain thresholds (PPTs), conditioned pain modulation (CPM) and temporal summation of pain (TSP) were evaluated at baseline and after treatment completion. Therapy outcome was measured using the Global Rating of Change Scale (GROC), the Neck disability Index (NDI), intensity of pain during the last 24 hours, Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia (TSK) and Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS). Two sets of generalized linear mixed models with Gaussian response and the identity link were employed to evaluate the effect of the intervention on clinical, psychological and psychophysical measures and the association between psychophysical and clinical outcomes. RESULTS Following treatment, an increased CPM response (Coefficient: 0.89; 95% credibility interval = 0.14 to 1.65; P = .99) and attenuated TSP (Coefficient: -0.63; 95% credibility interval = -0.82 to -0.43; P = 1.00) were found, along with amelioration of pain and improved clinical status. PPTs at trapezius muscle on the side of neck pain were increased after therapy (Coefficient: 0.22; 95% credibility interval = 0.03 to 0.42; P = .98), but not those on the contralateral trapezius and tibialis anterior muscles. Only minor associations were found between normalization of TSP/CPM and measures of clinical outcome. CONCLUSION Clinical improvement after manual therapy is accompanied by restoration of CPM and TSP responses to normal levels in NSCNP patients. The existence of only minor associations between changes in central pain processing and clinical outcome suggests multiple mechanisms of action of manual therapy in NSCNP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josu Zabala Mata
- Department of Physical Therapy, Deusto Physical Therapiker, Faculty of Health Science, University of Deusto, San Sebastian, Spain
- Department of Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Leioa, Spain
| | - Jon Jatsu Azkue
- Department of Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Leioa, Spain
| | - Joel E. Bialosky
- Department of Physical Therapy, University of Florida, Gainsville, Florida, United States of America
- Clinical Research Center, Brooks Rehabilitation, Jacksonville, Florida, United States of America
| | - Marc Saez
- Research Group on Statistics, Econometrics and Health (GRECS), University of Girona, Girona, Spain
- CIBER of Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | - Estíbaliz Dominguez López
- Department of Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Leioa, Spain
| | - Maialen Araolaza Arrieta
- Department of Physical Therapy, Deusto Physical Therapiker, Faculty of Health Science, University of Deusto, San Sebastian, Spain
| | - Ion Lascurain-Aguirrebeña
- Physiotherapy, Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Leioa, Spain
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Scaturro D, Migliorino D, Lauricella L, Quartararo F, Calabrese N, Tomasello S, Vecchio M, Letizia Mauro G. Extracorporeal ShockWave Treatment vs. mesotherapy in the treatment of myofascial syndromes: a clinical trial. Front Med (Lausanne) 2024; 11:1388922. [PMID: 38841584 PMCID: PMC11152160 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2024.1388922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Numerous scientific papers have compared different treatment options in the management of myofascial pain syndrome. This study evaluated the efficacy of Extracorporeal ShockWave Treatment (ESWT) and mesotherapy in patients with Myofascial Pain Syndrome (MPS) in terms of improvement in pain, functional capacity, and quality of life. A case-control study was conducted on 54 patients, who were randomized into 2 groups: group A, consisting of 27 patients, who were treated with 5 sessions of focal ESWT on a weekly basis; and group B, consisting of 27 patients, who underwent 5 sessions of mesotherapy with Thiocolchicoside fl 4 mg/2 mL and Mepivacaine fl 10 mg/1 mL on a weekly basis. Patients were evaluated at enrollment (T0), after 5 weeks, at the end of rehabilitation treatment (T1), and at a follow- up 30 days after the end of treatment (T2), by administering rating scales (Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) - Pressure Pain Threshold (PPT) - Short Form-36 (SF-36)). The results showed that focal ESWT and Mesoterapy are two valid and effective treatment options in reducing algic symptoms and improving short- and long-term quality of life. However, the use of ESWTs, despite being mildly painful but tolerated, has been shown to be superior to mesotherapy in terms of pain reduction and increased functional capacity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dalila Scaturro
- Department of Medicine of Precision in the Medical, Surgical and Critical Care Areas, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Domenico Migliorino
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Lorenza Lauricella
- Department of Medicine of Precision in the Medical, Surgical and Critical Care Areas, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Francesco Quartararo
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Noemi Calabrese
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Sofia Tomasello
- Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine and Movement of the University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Michele Vecchio
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Giulia Letizia Mauro
- Department of Medicine of Precision in the Medical, Surgical and Critical Care Areas, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
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Rodgers LJ, Bialosky JE, Minick SA, Coronado RA. An overview of systematic reviews examining the quantitative sensory testing-derived hypoalgesic effects of manual therapy for musculoskeletal pain. J Man Manip Ther 2024; 32:67-84. [PMID: 37908101 PMCID: PMC10795637 DOI: 10.1080/10669817.2023.2267954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Changes in quantitative sensory testing (QST) after manual therapy can provide insight into pain relief mechanisms. Prior systematic reviews have evaluated manual-therapy-induced QST change. This overview of systematic reviews aims to consolidate this body of literature and critically review evidence on the hypoalgesic effects of manual therapy in clinical populations. METHODS A comprehensive search was conducted on PubMed, CINAHL, PsycInfo, and Embase. Peer-reviewed systematic reviews with or without meta-analysis were eligible if the reviews examined the effect of manual therapy compared to non-manual therapy interventions on QST outcomes in clinical populations. Methodological quality was assessed with the AMSTAR 2 tool. Meta-analysis results and qualitative (non-meta-analysis) interpretations were summarized by type of manual therapy. Overlap of studies was examined with the corrected covered area (CCA) index. RESULTS Thirty systematic reviews, including 11 meta-analyses, met inclusion. There was a slight overlap in studies (CCA of 1.72% for all reviews and 1.69% for meta-analyses). Methodological quality was predominantly low to critically low. Eight (27%) reviews examined studies with a range of manual therapy types, 13 (43%) reviews focused on joint-biased manual therapy, 7 (23%) reviews focused on muscle-biased manual therapy, and 2 (7%) reviews focused on nerve-biased manual therapy. Twenty-nine (97%) reviews reported on pressure pain threshold (PPT). Meta-analytic results demonstrated conflicting evidence that manual therapy results in greater hypoalgesic effects compared to other interventions or controls. CONCLUSION Our overview of QST effects, which has relevance to mechanisms underlying hypoalgesia, shows conflicting evidence from mostly low to critically low systematic reviews.
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Affiliation(s)
- Logan J. Rodgers
- Department of Physical Therapy, College of Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Joel E. Bialosky
- Department of Physical Therapy, College of Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Brooks-UF-PHHP Research Collaboration, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Sophie A. Minick
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Center for Musculoskeletal Research, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Rogelio A. Coronado
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Center for Musculoskeletal Research, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Osher Center for Integrative Health, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
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Liu C, Wang Y, Yu W, Xiang J, Ding G, Liu W. Comparative effectiveness of noninvasive therapeutic interventions for myofascial pain syndrome: a network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Int J Surg 2024; 110:1099-1112. [PMID: 37939115 PMCID: PMC10871620 DOI: 10.1097/js9.0000000000000860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) has an impact on physical health and quality of life for patients, with various noninvasive methods used for relieving myofascial pain. The authors aimed to compare the effectiveness of different noninvasive therapeutic interventions for MPS. MATERIALS AND METHODS The authors searched PubMed, Embase, CINAHL Complete, Web of Science, Cochrane, and Scopus to identify randomized controlled trials describing the effects of any noninvasive treatments in patients with MPS. The primary outcome was pain intensity, while pressure pain threshold and pain-related disability were secondary outcomes. RESULTS The analysis included 40 studies. Manual therapy [mean difference (MD) of pain: -1.60, 95% CI: -2.17 to -1.03; MD of pressure pain threshold: 0.52, 95% CI: 0.19 to 0.86; MD of pain-related disability: -5.34, 95% CI: -8.09 to -2.58], laser therapy (MD of pain: -1.15, 95% CI: -1.83 to -0.46; MD of pressure pain threshold: 1.00, 95% CI: 0.46 to 1.54; MD of pain-related disability: -4.58, 95% CI: -7.80 to -1.36), extracorporeal shock wave therapy (MD of pain: -1.61, 95% CI: -2.43 to -0.78; MD of pressure pain threshold: 0.84, 95% CI: 0.33 to 1.35; MD of pain-related disability: -5.78, 95% CI: -9.45 to -2.12), and ultrasound therapy (MD of pain: -1.54, 95% CI: -2.24 to -0.84; MD of pressure pain threshold: 0.77, 95% CI: 0.31 to 1.22) were more effective than no treatment. CONCLUSION Our findings support that manual therapy, laser therapy, and extracorporeal shock wave therapy could effectively reduce pain intensity, pressure pain threshold, and pain-related disability with statistical significance when compared with placebo. This finding may provide clinicians with appropriate therapeutic modalities for patients with MPS among different scenarios.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Yang Wang
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Cell and Matrix Research Institute, Kyungpook National University School of Medicine, Daegu, Korea
| | - Wenli Yu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Tianjin First Center Hospital, Tianjin, People’s Republic of China
| | | | - Guoyong Ding
- School of Public Health, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong
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Varol U, Valera-Calero JA, Sánchez-Jiménez E, Fernández-de-las-Peñas C, Ortega-Santiago R, Kobylarz MD, Navarro-Santana MJ. Levator Scapulae Stiffness Measurement Reliability in Individuals with and without Chronic Neck Pain by Experienced and Novel Examiners. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 24:277. [PMID: 38203140 PMCID: PMC10781297 DOI: 10.3390/s24010277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2023] [Revised: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 12/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
The levator scapulae muscle is a key structure in the etiopathology of neck and shoulder musculoskeletal pain. Although previous studies used shear-wave elastography (SWE) for characterizing this muscle elasticity, limited evidence assessed the inter-examiner reliability of this procedure. This study aimed to analyze the inter-examiner reliability for calculating Young's modulus and shear wave speed in a cohort of participants with and without chronic neck pain. A diagnostic accuracy study was conducted, acquiring a set of SWE images at the C5 level in participants with and without neck pain (n = 34 and 33, respectively) by two examiners (one experienced and one novel). After blinding the participants' identity, examiner involved, and side, the stiffness indicators were calculated by an independent rater in a randomized order. Intra-class correlation coefficients (ICC), standard error of measurement, minimal detectable changes, and coefficient of variation were calculated. Both cohorts had comparable sociodemographic characteristics (p > 0.05). No significant levator scapulae elasticity differences were found between genders, sides, or cohorts (all, p > 0.05). Inter-examiner reliability for calculating Young's modulus and shear wave speed was moderate-to-good for assessing asymptomatic individuals (ICC = 0.714 and 0.779, respectively), while poor-to-moderate in patients with neck pain (ICC = 0.461 and 0.546, respectively). The results obtained in this study support the use of this procedure for assessing asymptomatic individuals. However, reliability estimates were unacceptable to support its use for assessing elasticity in patients with chronic neck pain. Future studies might consider that the shear wave speed is more sensitive to detect real changes in comparison with Young's modulus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Umut Varol
- Escuela Internacional de Doctorado, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, 29222 Alcorcón, Spain; (U.V.); (M.D.K.)
| | - Juan Antonio Valera-Calero
- Department of Radiology, Rehabilitation and Physiotherapy, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (J.A.V.-C.); (M.J.N.-S.)
- Grupo InPhysio, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Hospital Clínico San Carlos (IdISSC), 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | | | - César Fernández-de-las-Peñas
- Department of Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Rehabilitation and Physical Medicine, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, 28922 Alcorcón, Spain;
- Cátedra Institucional en Docencia, Clínica e Investigación en Fisioterapia: Terapia Manual, Punción Seca y Ejercicio Terapéutico, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, 28922 Alcorcón, Spain
| | - Ricardo Ortega-Santiago
- Department of Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Rehabilitation and Physical Medicine, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, 28922 Alcorcón, Spain;
- Cátedra Institucional en Docencia, Clínica e Investigación en Fisioterapia: Terapia Manual, Punción Seca y Ejercicio Terapéutico, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, 28922 Alcorcón, Spain
| | - Mateusz D. Kobylarz
- Escuela Internacional de Doctorado, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, 29222 Alcorcón, Spain; (U.V.); (M.D.K.)
- Akademia Terapii Manualnej i Igłoterapii Suchej (ATMIS), 34-400 Nowy Targ, Poland
| | - Marcos José Navarro-Santana
- Department of Radiology, Rehabilitation and Physiotherapy, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (J.A.V.-C.); (M.J.N.-S.)
- Grupo InPhysio, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Hospital Clínico San Carlos (IdISSC), 28040 Madrid, Spain
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Arribas-Romano A, Fernández-Carnero J, González-Zamorano Y, Rodríguez-Lagos L, Alguacil-Diego IM, Molina-Álvarez M, Tejera DM, Mercado-Romero F. Manual Therapy Effects on Nonspecific Neck Pain Are Not Mediated by Mechanisms Related to Conditioned Pain Modulation: A Randomized Clinical Trial. J Clin Med 2023; 12:3894. [PMID: 37373589 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12123894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2023] [Revised: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Manual therapy (MT) is a treatment recommended by clinical practice guidelines in the management of patients with neck pain. However, the mechanisms through which MT works remain unknown. The aim of the present study is to investigate if MT is mediated by mechanisms related to conditioned pain modulation (CPM), comparing the effects of painful with a pain-free MT treatment. METHODS A two-arm, parallel, randomized controlled clinical trial with concealed allocation and blinding of the outcome assessor was conducted in university students with chronic or recurrent nonspecific neck pain (NSNP). Participants received either a painful or pain-free MT session. Psychophysical variables including pressure pain thresholds, CPM, temporal summation of pain and cold pain intensity were assessed before and immediately after treatment. In addition, changes in neck pain intensity over the following 7 days and self-perceived improvement immediately and 7 days after treatment were assessed. RESULTS No significant differences were found between groups in any of the psychophysical variables or in patients' self-perceived improvement. Only a significantly greater decrease in neck pain intensity immediately after treatment was found in the pain-free MT group compared to the painful MT group. CONCLUSION The results suggest that the immediate and short-term effects of MT on NSNP are not mediated by CPM-related mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Arribas-Romano
- Escuela Internacional de Doctorado, Department of Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Rehabilitation and Physical Medicine, Rey Juan Carlos University, 28922 Madrid, Spain
- Cognitive Neuroscience, Pain, and Rehabilitation Research Group (NECODOR), Faculty of Health Sciences, Rey Juan Carlos University, 28922 Madrid, Spain
- Department of Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Rehabilitation and Physical Medicine, Rey Juan Carlos University, 28922 Madrid, Spain
| | - Josué Fernández-Carnero
- Cognitive Neuroscience, Pain, and Rehabilitation Research Group (NECODOR), Faculty of Health Sciences, Rey Juan Carlos University, 28922 Madrid, Spain
- Department of Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Rehabilitation and Physical Medicine, Rey Juan Carlos University, 28922 Madrid, Spain
- Motion in Brains Research Group, Institute of Neuroscience and Sciences of the Movement (INCIMOV), Centro Superior de Estudios Universitarios La Salle, 28023 Madrid, Spain
- La Paz Hospital Institute for Health Research, IdiPAZ, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Yeray González-Zamorano
- Escuela Internacional de Doctorado, Department of Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Rehabilitation and Physical Medicine, Rey Juan Carlos University, 28922 Madrid, Spain
- Cognitive Neuroscience, Pain, and Rehabilitation Research Group (NECODOR), Faculty of Health Sciences, Rey Juan Carlos University, 28922 Madrid, Spain
- Department of Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Rehabilitation and Physical Medicine, Rey Juan Carlos University, 28922 Madrid, Spain
- Grupo de Investigación en Neurorrehabilitación del Daño Cerebral y los Trastornos del Movimiento (GINDAT), Facultad de Ciencias Experimentales, Universidad Francisco de Vitoria, 28223 Madrid, Spain
| | - Leonardo Rodríguez-Lagos
- Escuela Internacional de Doctorado, Department of Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Rehabilitation and Physical Medicine, Rey Juan Carlos University, 28922 Madrid, Spain
- Cognitive Neuroscience, Pain, and Rehabilitation Research Group (NECODOR), Faculty of Health Sciences, Rey Juan Carlos University, 28922 Madrid, Spain
| | - Isabel María Alguacil-Diego
- Department of Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Rehabilitation and Physical Medicine, Rey Juan Carlos University, 28922 Madrid, Spain
- Motion Analysis, Ergonomics, Biomechanics and Motor Control Laboratory (LAMBECOM), Department of Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Rehabilitation and Physical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Rey Juan Carlos University, 28922 Madrid, Spain
| | - Miguel Molina-Álvarez
- Escuela Internacional de Doctorado, Department of Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Rehabilitation and Physical Medicine, Rey Juan Carlos University, 28922 Madrid, Spain
- Cognitive Neuroscience, Pain, and Rehabilitation Research Group (NECODOR), Faculty of Health Sciences, Rey Juan Carlos University, 28922 Madrid, Spain
- Area of Pharmacology, Nutrition and Bromatology, Department of Basic Health Sciences, Rey Juan Carlos University, Unidad Asociada I+D+i Instituto de Química Médica (IQM) CSIC-URJC, 28922 Madrid, Spain
| | - David Morales Tejera
- Escuela Internacional de Doctorado, Department of Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Rehabilitation and Physical Medicine, Rey Juan Carlos University, 28922 Madrid, Spain
- Cognitive Neuroscience, Pain, and Rehabilitation Research Group (NECODOR), Faculty of Health Sciences, Rey Juan Carlos University, 28922 Madrid, Spain
- Area of Human Anatomy and Embriology, Department of Basic Health Sciences, Rey Juan Carlos University, 28922 Madrid, Spain
- Department of Physiotherapy, Human Physiology and Anatomy, Faculty of Physical Education and Physiotherapy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090 Brussels, Belgium
- Pain in Motion Research Group (PAIN), Department of Physiotherapy, Human Physiology and Anatomy, Faculty of Physical Education and Physiotherapy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1090 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Francisco Mercado-Romero
- Cognitive Neuroscience, Pain, and Rehabilitation Research Group (NECODOR), Faculty of Health Sciences, Rey Juan Carlos University, 28922 Madrid, Spain
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Rey Juan Carlos University, 28922 Madrid, Spain
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Fernández-de-las-Peñas C, Nijs J, Cagnie B, Gerwin RD, Plaza-Manzano G, Valera-Calero JA, Arendt-Nielsen L. Myofascial Pain Syndrome: A Nociceptive Condition Comorbid with Neuropathic or Nociplastic Pain. Life (Basel) 2023; 13:life13030694. [PMID: 36983849 PMCID: PMC10059732 DOI: 10.3390/life13030694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2023] [Revised: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/02/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Myofascial pain syndrome is featured by the presence of myofascial trigger points (TrPs). Whether TrPs are primary or secondary phenomena or if they relate to central or peripheral nervous system disorders is controversial. Referred pain, a cardinal sign of TrPs, is a central phenomenon driven by peripheral input. In 2021, the International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP) proposed a clinical criteria and grading system for classifying patients with pain on nociceptive, neuropathic, or nociplastic phenotypes. Myofascial TrP pain has been traditionally categorized as a nociceptive phenotype; however, increasing evidence supports that this condition could be present in patients with predominantly nociplastic pain, particularly when it is associated with an underlying medical condition. The clinical response of some therapeutic approaches for managing TrPs remains unclear. Accordingly, the ability to classify myofascial TrP pain into one of these phenotypes would likely be critical for producing more successful clinical treatment outcomes by a precision medicine approach. This consensus paper presents evidence supporting the possibility of subgrouping individuals with myofascial TrP pain into nociceptive, nociplastic, or mixed-type phenotype. It is concluded that myofascial pain caused by TrPs is primarily a nociceptive pain condition, is unlikely to be classified as neuropathic or nociplastic, but can be present in patients with predominantly neuropathic or nociplastic pain. In the latter cases, management of the predominant central pain problem should be a major treatment goal, but the peripheral drive from TrPs should not be ignored, since TrP treatment has been shown to reduce sensitization-associated symptomatology in nociplastic pain conditions, e.g., fibromyalgia.
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Affiliation(s)
- César Fernández-de-las-Peñas
- Department of Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos (URJC), 28922 Madrid, Spain
- Center for Neuroplasticity and Pain (CNAP), Sensory Motor Interaction (SMI), Department of Health Science and Technology, Faculty of Medicine, Aalborg University, 9220 Aalborg, Denmark
- Correspondence:
| | - Jo Nijs
- Pain in Motion Research Group (PAIN), Department of Physiotherapy, Human Physiology and Anatomy, Faculty of Physical Education & Physiotherapy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1050 Brussel, Belgium
- Chronic Pain Rehabilitation, Department of Physical Medicine and Physiotherapy, University Hospital Brussels, 1090 Jette, Belgium
- Department of Health and Rehabilitation, Unit of Physiotherapy, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, 405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Barbara Cagnie
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Robert D. Gerwin
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Gustavo Plaza-Manzano
- Department of Radiology, Rehabilitation and Physiotherapy, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
- Grupo InPhysio, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Hospital Clínico San Carlos (IdISSC), 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Juan A. Valera-Calero
- Department of Radiology, Rehabilitation and Physiotherapy, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
- Grupo InPhysio, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Hospital Clínico San Carlos (IdISSC), 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Lars Arendt-Nielsen
- Center for Neuroplasticity and Pain (CNAP), Sensory Motor Interaction (SMI), Department of Health Science and Technology, Faculty of Medicine, Aalborg University, 9220 Aalborg, Denmark
- Department of Medical Gastroenterology, Mech-Sense, Aalborg University Hospital, 9000 Aalborg, Denmark
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