Meta-Analysis on the Effect of Physical Therapy Methods on Myofascial Pain Syndrome: The Cases of Domestic Research

ABSTRACT

Purpose@#The primary purposes of this study were to identify the degree of the effect size and the variables related to it on the effects of physical therapy on myofascial pain syndrome. @*Methods@#This study collected 15 studies published between 2008.01.01 and 2019.12.31. The Analysis results confirmed 57 effect size data. The random-effect model was chosen because of the heterogeneity of the data. @*Results@#First, the full case showed the largest mean effect size of 2.03 (p<0.001). Second, the size of the effect, according to the hands-on intervention, was 2.74 (p<0.003). Third, the VAS showed an effect size of 2.30 (p<0.001). Fourth, the intervention period showed a 1- to 15-day effect size of 2.94 (p<0.001). The number of interventions showed a 6 to 10 effect size of 2.84 (p<0.006). The number of participants showed a 10 or less effect size of 2.66 (p<0.001). Finally, the ‘Trim and Fill’ result confirmed that the calibration effect size was 0.93 (p<0.001). @*Conclusion@#Physical therapy had a great effect on myofascial pain syndrome in the neck and shoulders, and that the effect differed according to the methods of the intervention and the methods of evaluation.