Background: The muscles associated with tension-type headache (TTH) are connected to the scalp fascia, which is firmly attached to the superciliary ridge of the frontal bone. However, there is a paucity of data on treatments for TTH that directly target the scalp fasciae. Objectives: We aimed to validate a new manual therapy to treat TTH by applying myofascial relaxation techniques to the scalp and to examine the changes in quality of life and headache characteristics after treatment. Design: pretest-posttest control group design study. Methods: Total 24 participants with TTH (10 males, 14 females) participated in the study. Manual therapy group (MT) received standard manual therapy and scalp myofascial release technique group (SMT) received scalp myofascial release technique twice per week for 4 weeks. Brief Pain Inventory (BPI) and Headache Impact Test (HIT) for quality of life, headache frequency, duration, and Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for intensity were assessed at the pre- and post-treatment. Results: There was a significant improvement within groups in headache frequency (MT P<.05, SMT P<.001), duration (MT P<.05, SMT P<.01), VAS (MT P<.01, SMT P<.001), HIT (MT P<.001, SMT P<.001), and BPI (MT P<.001, SMT P<.001) between the pre- and post-treatment. Group differences were significant for headache duration (P=.027), but the others were not. MT and SMT reduced the impact of headaches on daily life. Also Headache frequency, duration, intensity, and BPI were improved. Conclusion: MT and SMT reduced the impact of headaches on daily life. Also Headache frequency, duration, intensity, and BPI were improved. It has been suggested that both MT and SMT can be used as a non-invasive treatment to treat the TTH, and to improve the quality of life.

Background: Individuals with calf muscle shortening may have decreased dynamic balance. Objects: This study aimed to investigate the effect of mobilization with movement (MWM) and myofascial release (MFR) on kinematic changes in dynamic balance in individuals with calf muscle shortening. Methods: Thirteen participants were randomly assigned to the MWM or the mobilization with movement added myofascial release (MWM-MFR) group. The MWM group received treatment with only MWM, whereas the MWM-MFR group was treated with MWM and MFR. Pre- and post-intervention passive range of motion (PROM), maximum reaching lengths, and modified star excursion balance test (MSEBT) results were compared for all participants. Wilcoxon signed-rank test and Mann-Whitney U test were used for statistical analysis. Results: The results showed significant within-group differences in ankle PROM, but no significant between-group differences. The maximum reaching length in the MWM-MFR group in the posterolateral direction was significantly different before and after the intervention (p = 0.005). This group also showed significantly reduced ankle abduction in MSEBT during the posteromedial direction section 3 (p = 0.007) and posterolateral direction section 5 (p = 0.049) compared with the MWM group. Conclusion: Combined MWM and MFR intervention improves ankle stability in the coronal plane during the posteromedial and posterolateral forward mo

Background: Although it has been reported that both self-myofascial release (SMR) with foam rolling (FR) and active static hamstring stretching (e.g., jackknife stretching) are effective in improving hamstring flexibility, no study has compared the effects of these exercises. Objectives: To compare the effects of SMR with FR and jack-knife stretching on hamstring flexibility. Design: A Randomized controlled trial. Methods: Subjects with hamstring tightness were divided into the SMR with the FR group (n=12) and the jack-knife stretching group (n=12). Subjects groups performed SMR with FR or jack-knife stretching according to group assignment. To identify changes in hamstring flexibility, the finger-to-floor distance (FFD) test, active knee extension (AKE) test, and passive straight leg raising (PSLR) test were performed at pre- and post-exercise. Results: Significant increases occurred in knee extension angle during the AKE test and hip flexion angle during the PSLR test after exercise in both groups (P<.001). Additionally, FFD and anterior pelvic tilt during the FFD test significantly increased (P<.001); however, we observed no significant interaction and main effects for the groups (P>.05). Conclusion: Both SMR with FR and jack-knife stretching are effective in improving hamstring flexibility in subjects with hamstring tightness.

Background: The myofascial release technique is known to be an effective technique for increasing posterior fascia flexibility in short hamstring syndrome (SHS) subjects. But therapeutic mechanism of myofascial relaxation remains unclear. Recently, the theory of autonomic nervous system domination has been raised, however, a proper study to test the theory has not been conducted. Objectives: To investigate whether the application of the myofascial release technique can induce changes in the autonomic nervous system and affect the secretion of stress hormones and myofascial relaxation. Design: Quasi-experimental study. Methods: Twenty-four subjects with SHS were randomly divided into two groups. In the experimental group, the suboccipital muscle inhibition (SMI) technique was applied to the subjects for 4 min in supine position, and in the control group, the subjects were lying in the supine position only. A forward flexion distance (FFD) was conducted, blood pressure, heart rate, and cortisol levels were measured before and after the intervention and 30 min after intervention to determine myofascial relaxation and stress hormone levels. The evaluation was conducted separately in blind by an evaluator. Results: A FFD decreased in the experimental group, no change in cortisol was observed. On the contrary, a decrease in cortisol appeared in the control group after 30 minutes. Conclusion: The myofascial release technique is an effective treatment to increase the range of motion through posterior superior myofascial chain, but there is no evidence that myofascial release technique can control the autonomic nervous system.

본 연구는 비만 여자대학생을 대상으로 8주간의 자가근막이완 운동이 신체조성, 혈관, 대사기능에 미치는 효과에 대해서 알아보고자 하였다. 비만 여자대학생 19명을 대상으로 포기자 1명을 제외하고자 가근막이완 운동집단(n=9)과 통제집단(n=9)으로 무선 배정하였다. 운동집단은 폼롤러를 이용하여 8주간 주 2회, 1회에 40분간 자가근막이완 운동을 실시하였고, 통제집단은 동일한 기간 동안 일상생활을 유지하 도록 하였다. 측정 변인으로 신체조성은 체중과 체지방률을 측정하였고, 혈관기능은 혈압, 심박수, 맥파전 파속도, 대동맥증폭지수, 상완동맥 혈관내피세포 의존성 이완능을 측정하였으며, 대사기능은 공복 혈당과 중성지방 수치를 측정하였다. 본 연구결과 폼롤러를 이용한 자가근막이완 운동 후 체중과 체지방률은 유의한 감소가 나타나지 않았다. 폼롤러를 이용한 자가근막이완 운동 후 심박수, 혈관내피세포의존성 이완능, 맥파전파속도는 유의한 변화가 나타나지 않았으나, 상완동맥과 중심동맥 수축기 혈압이 유의하게 감소하였고(p<.01), 대동맥 증폭지수도 유의하게 감소하였다(p<.05). 대사기능의 변인인 혈당과 중성지방은 유의한 감소가 나타나지 않았다. 본 연구의 결과를 종합해 보면 비만 여자대학생에게 8주간의 자가근막이완 운동 은 신체조성 변인인 체중과 체지방률, 대사기능의 변인인 혈당과 중성지방에 유의한 차이가 나타나지 않았 다. 그러나 혈관기능의 변인인 상완동맥과 중심동맥 수축기 혈압, 대동맥 증폭지수에서 유의한 차이를 보였다. 따라서 8주간의 폼롤러를 이용한 자가근막이완 운동은 비만 여자대학생의 혈관기능을 개선시키는데 효과적인 운동방법이 될 것으로 판단된다.

Background: Many trials have been conducted the methods and types of intervention of form rollers, but no research has been done yet that mixes the methods and types of intervention. Objectives: To analyze the effects of myofascial release on the improvement of range of motion (ROM), flexibility, pain pressure threshold, and balance. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Methods: All subjects measured ROM, flexibility, pressure pain threshold, and dynamic balance by pre-test. After pre-test, subjects were randomized that static-vibration foam rolling group (n=12), dynamic-vibration foam rolling group (n=12), general foam rolling group (n=12). For the intervention, 3 sets of 90 seconds were applied to each group, and rest time was set to 60 seconds between sets. In the post-test and follow-up test after 10 minutes, all three groups were measured the ROM, flexibility, pressure pain threshold, and dynamic balance. Results: The results of comparing ROM, flexibility, pressure pain thresholds, dynamic balance ability appeared higher significant difference in the prepost- 10 minutes follow up test in comparison between time in the intragroup (P<.001). As a result of comparing the change of pre-post-10 minutes follow up, static vibration foam rolling showed higher significant difference compared to control groups (P<.001). Conclusion: Through this study, when foam rolling is applied within the same intervention time, static foam rolling can be expected to have a better effect than the existing dynamic foam rolling as well as vibration foam roller can expect better effect than general foam rolling.

Background: Tension-type headaches, which make up the highest proportion of headaches, are prone to develop into chronic tension-type headaches (CTTH). The characteristic of CTTH in patients is that the active myofascial trigger point (ATrP) which causes pain in the muscles of the back of the head is increased, compared to the normal headache and moves the head position forward. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of myofascial release (MFR) and posture correction in effectively improving neck function and sleep quality in the symptoms of CTTH patients. Design: Observer-blind study Methods: To reduce ATrP, MFR was applied and exercise was also applied to correct posture. The subjects of this study were 48 individuals randomly divided into three groups; The MFR group using the MFR technique; The MFR with exercise group subject to both the MFR technique and forward head position correction exercises (MFREx), and the control group. MFR and MFREx groups were given the relevant interventions twice a week for four consecutive weeks, and went through the number ATrPs, range of motion (ROM) of neck, Neck Disability Index (NDI) and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) before and after the intervention. A physical therapist, who was fully familiar with the measuring methods of the equipment, was the measurer and not aware of the target's condition was blinded to take measurements only before and after intervention. Results: There was a significant improvement in the ATrP, Neck ROM, NDI and PSQI in the group of patients to whom the MFR technique and MFREx were applied. MFREx was more effective in increasing neck mobility. Conclusions: According to this study, the application of MFR is effective in improving neck movement and sleep quality in chronic tension headache patients.

This study investigated the effects of myofascial release therapy and massage on upper trapezius myalgia and sleep quality in 60 female and male individuals employed at casinos between the ages of 20-49. Subjects were divided into three groups: a myofascial release therapy group (n=20), a massage group (n=20), and a control group (n=20). Each intervention lasted 15 minutes and was performed 4 times a week for 4 weeks. Pain was significantly decreased after the application of myofascial release therapy and massage (p<.05), however slightly increased in the control group, and myofascial release therapy reduced pain a little more than massage. Sleep quality was also significantly increased by myofascial release and mass (p<.05), however only slightly in the control group. The findings of this study suggest that myofascial release therapy and massage are effective in improving upper trapezius myalgia and sleep quality in casino employees.