Effect of Compliance with Exercise Program Given in Addition to Trigger Point Injection on Number of Trigger Points and Pain Level in Patients with Myofascial Pain Syndrome

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to compare the effects of adherence to an exercise program in addition to trigger point injection (TPI) on pain level and number of trigger points (TrP).
METHODS: TPI was performed on active TrP on the backs of 40 patients with myofascial pain syndromes (MPS). Afterwards, exercise program was recommended to the patients. The pain-VAS and number of TrP in the patients who were called for control at 1st and 3rd months were re-evaluated. Patients with exercise compliance of 50% or more for 3 months were considered to be compliant with exercise, while below 50% were included in the exercise non-compliant group.
RESULTS: Pain-VAS decreased in non-compliant and compliant exercise group at 1st and 3rd months compared to baseline (p<0,001, p<0,001, p=0.006, p<0,001). At 3rd month, a decrease in pain-VAS compared to 1st month was observed only in the compliant group. The decrease compared to baseline at 1st and 3rd months was greater in the compliant group (p<0,001, p=0,003). No statistically significant difference was found in the number of TrP in the non-compliant group (p=0.047). In the compliant group, the number of TrP was significantly lower at 3rd month compared to baseline and 1st month (p<0,001, p<0,001). No significant difference was observed between the groups in terms of change in the number of TrP (p=0,253, p=0,718, p=0,003).
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The importance of compliance with the exercise should be emphasized to patients with MPS.