Effect Of Magnetic Field Therapy Versus Progressive Pressure Technique In Treatment Of Lower Back Myofascial Pain Syndrome: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Abstract

Background: low back pain affects about 60% to 90% of the working-age population in modern industrial society. Myofascial pain syndrome is a state characterized by increased tone of muscles with muscles shortening and related with trigger points that aggravated with activity of daily living.

 Objective of the study: to examine the effects of magnetic field therapy versus progressive pressure technique in treatment of lower back myofascial pain syndrome. Subjects and Methods: Thirty patients were assigned randomly in to 2 groups. Subjects in the group (A) (n=15) with main age of 36.73(2.52) received magnetic field and traditional physical therapy program (Infrared radiation, ultrasonic, stretching and strengthening exercises for back muscles), and group (B) (n = 15) with main age of 37.27(2.52) consist of 15 patients receiving progressive pressure technique over the trigger points of back muscles followed by stretching exercise. The following parameters including pain severity, functional disability and lumbar range of motion (flexion, extension, right side bending and left side bending) were measured before and after treatment. Results: Mixed design MANOVA was used to compare the tested variables of interest in different test groups and measurement times. The alpha level was set at 0.05. Regarding within group's comparison, it revealed that there was significant increase (p <0.05) in Range of flexion and extension and significant reduction (p<0.05) in pain severity, right and left side bending and functional disability at both groups post- treatment. Regarding between subject effects multiple pairwise comparisons revealed that there was no significant difference between both groups pre- treatment and post- treatment in pain severity, Range of flexion, Extension, while there was significant reduction (p<0.05) in range right and left side bending and functional disability at post- treatment in favor to group A compared to group B. Conclusion: on the basis of the present date, it is possible to conclude that both  magnetic field therapy and progressive pressure technique  were effective as a method of treatment for lower back myofascial pain syndrome patients with the parameters used in the present study.