This study aims to compare the effects of MTrP therapy combined with neck-specific exercises versus MTrP therapy combined with general exercises in office workers suffering from non-specific neck pain.
This randomized controlled trial involved 42 participants, who were randomly assigned to either the MTrP manual compression combined with neck-specific exercise group (MC+NEx, n=21, mean age: 34.5±11.3 years) or the MTrP manual compression combined with general exercise group (MC+GEx, n=21, mean age: 32.5 ± 8.0 years). Each participant received a 30-minute intervention from a physical therapist once per week for 4 weeks. Additionally, a home exercise program was prescribed, to be performed over an 8-week period. Outcome measures included pressure pain threshold (PPT), pain intensity, functional disability, and neck range of motion. Assessments were conducted at 4 timepoints: baseline (pre-test), immediately after the first intervention, following the last intervention (week 4), and 4 weeks post-intervention (week 8). Two-way repeated measures ANOVA and MANCOVA were used to evaluate the effects of the treatments.
A significant time-by-group interaction was detected only for PPT (p = 0.03), indicating that the effect of the intervention on muscle tenderness differed between the two groups. Specifically, the MC+NEx group demonstrated a greater increase in PPT over time compared to the MC+GEx group. All other outcome variables (pain intensity, functional disability, and neck range of motion) demonstrated significant main effects of time, with no significant time-by-group interactions, indicating that both interventions resulted in improvements in these outcomes.
This study demonstrates that MTrP therapy combined with either neck-specific or general exercises effectively improves pain intensity, functional disability, and neck mobility in office workers with non-specific neck pain. However, the neck-specific exercise group showed a greater increase in PPT, indicating better alleviation of muscle tenderness. These findings suggest that while both exercise regimens can reduce pain and improve function, a targeted, muscle-specific approach may offer additional benefits in reducing myofascial trigger point sensitivity.
The results of this study highlight the importance of incorporating muscle-specific exercises alongside MTrP therapy for office workers with non-specific neck pain. While both neck-specific and general exercises showed benefits, the neck-specific exercise approach demonstrated superior improvements in PPT, suggesting better muscle tension relief and trigger point management. Clinicians should consider utilizing targeted exercise interventions that address specific muscle imbalances or dysfunctions in the neck to optimize treatment outcomes.
Non-specific neck pain
Myofascial trigger point
