Clinical massage and modified Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation stretching in males with latent myofascial trigger points.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the immediate effects of modified Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) stretching (group I) versus Myofascial Trigger Point (MTrP) therapy plus modified PNF stretching (group II) in comparison to a control group receiving no treatment.


METHODS
Randomized, assessor-blind, (3 x 4) mixed-model repeated measures.


METHODS
University laboratory.


METHODS
Thirty physically active males with tight hamstrings and at least one latent MTrP on muscles innervated by the lumbosacral, sciatic, tibial and common peroneal nerves.


METHODS
Knee range of motion (ROM), stretch perception, pressure pain threshold (PPT) and subjective pain intensity. Outcomes were evaluated at baseline, immediately after treatment, at 10 and 30 min.


RESULTS
Significant changes over time occurred for group II in all outcomes (p < or = 0.001). Group II also showed lower pain intensity scores than group I immediately post-treatment (p = 0.045) and a strong clinical effect over group I in ROM at all follow-ups (effect sizes = 0.9-1.0, p < or = 0.05). Other differences were found between both stretching groups as compared to the control group (p < or = 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
The results indicate immediate pre- to post-treatment benefits from MTrP therapy combined with modified PNF stretching in young and physically active males with latent MTrPs.
Trampas
Athanasios
A
Department of Physical Education and Sports Science, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece. atrampas@phed.auth.gr
Kitsios
Athanasios
A
Sykaras
Evagelos
E
Symeonidis
Stamatios
S
Lazarou
Lazaros
L
D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008405:Massage; D052580:Muscle Stretching Exercises / Q000379:methods*; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology; D009209:Myofascial Pain Syndromes / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D011434:Proprioception / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult