Acute effects of self-myofascial release compared to dry needling on myofascial pain syndrome related outcomes: Range of motion, muscle soreness and performance. A randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Objectivesmyofascial pain syndrome (MPS) is associated with reductions in range of movement (ROM), decrease in physical function and performance and increase in pain in different populations. Elucidating the best prevention and treatment strategies for MPS has been one of the main goals in the last decade. The objective of the present study was to compare the acute effects of self-myofascial foam rolling release (SFR) and dry-needling (DN) techniques on ankle dorsiflexion ROM, soreness post-needling and performance through countermovement jump (CMJ) height. Methodsa prospective crossover design composed by 12 active adults, aged 23.41 ± 1.68 years (weight: 78.33 ± 9.02 Kg; height: 1.79 ± 0.088 m) with active ankle dorsiflexion restriction was performed. Participants were randomized into the SFR and DN techniques to analyze its effects on ankle dorsiflexion ROM, muscle soreness and jump height at pre, post and 24 h post-intervention. Resultssignificant improvements were found by DN on ankle dorsiflexion at 24 h post intervention and muscle soreness by SFR at the same time point. No significant differences were found between conditions. ConclusionsBoth SFR and DN are effective in improving ankle dorsiflexion and performance in young adults without producing an acute effect in muscle soreness.